bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoccupation with Suicidal Thoughts in the Population of Kosovo 15 Years of Age and Older
Authors: Agani Ferid  , Maxhuni Bajram  , Haskuka Mytaher
Published: February 2025

Mental health surveys done in 1999 and 2000 have indicated high prevalence of war trauma-related substantial psychiatric morbidity among Kosovan Albanians 15 years of age and older. Recovery from psychological trauma in post-war Kosovo, hindered by the severe economic situation, rapid cultural transition, disintegration of social support networks and the unknown fate of thousands of missing persons, is very slow. The growing suicidal index, rising from 1.62 in 1962 to 4.2 in 2006, is an indicator of serious psychosocial difficulties the Kosovo population is facing. Aiming to determine mental health status of the Kosovo population six years after the war, a follow-up study has been conducted. The study has revealed a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (22.6%), depression (43.1%) and emotional distress (43.9%). In this study, results are correlated with the presence of suicidal thoughts and are analyzed based on demographic characteristics, exposure to trauma experiences, displacement and health characteristics. Preoccupation with suicidal thoughts in the representative sample population of subjects 15 years of age and older is high. Vulnerable groups are represented within a rural population, the region of Gjakova, consisting of those with a family member or a friend killed, and those who had experienced multiple traumatic experiences during the war. Preoccupation with suicidal thoughts was significantly higher in subjects with signs and symptoms of PTSD, depression and emotional distress.
Possible Involvement of Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Neurobiology of PTSD
Authors: Pregelj Peter  , Videtiˇ Alja
Published: February 2025

Exposure to a traumatic event is required for the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was first suggested that PTSD represents a normative response to exposure to extreme stressors, but it soon became evident that only a minority of individuals who experience a traumatic event will develop the disorder. However, the relation between psychopathological events, the phenomenology of the trauma, and neurobiological changes related to PTSD is not totally understood. The symptoms of PTSD are believed to reflect stress-induced changes in neurobiological systems representing an inadequate adaptation of neurobiological systems to exposure to severe stressors. Attempts are made to relate different neurobiological changes to the specific features represented in PTSD. It is not clear whether certain neurobiological changes in PTSD reflect preexisting vulnerability or consequences of trauma exposure. It is known that early life environmental events have persisting effects on central nervous tissue structure and function, a phenomenon called “developmental programming.” Further it is known that glucocorticoid hormone mediators may be involved in this process. It was suggested that changes in the glucocorticoid system are mediated by tissue-specific changes in gene expression. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may play an important role in the interplay between stress exposure and genetic vulnerability. In preclinical studies it was first suggested that epigenetic mechanisms may be involved in the modulation of gene expression in response to stressful stimuli. Recently, epigenetic differences in a neuron-specific glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) promoter between postmortem hippocampus obtained from suicide victims with a history of childhood abuse and those from either suicide victims with no childhood abuse or controls were found, indicating the involvement of these mechanisms in human adaptation to stress. Beside DNA methylation, histone modulation is involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression by regulation of diverse chromatin-templated processes, including transcription. These covalent modifications of histones, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, deimination, and methylation, therefore affect the numerous processes involving chromatin, such as replication, repair, transcription, genome stability and cell death. PTSD may both act as environmental challenges if present in early life and may themselves be more likely in individuals made “vulnerable” by early life stress or even by appearance of PTSD in their parents.
PTSD of Wounded War Veterans
Authors: Dedic Gordana  , Kostic Petar  , Trlaja Liljana
Published: February 2025

The aim of the study is analysis of psychological characteristics of 38 wounded war veterans (males, aged 40 years, have 11,5 years of schooling on average) wounded in the war waged on the territory of former Yugoslavia (1991-1995) and treated in special institutions for rehabilitation. Controls are 419 war veterans and 968 non-combatants (soldiers without war experience). Horovic’s scale of stress impact (IES-R) and Profile Index Emotions test (PIE-JRS) were used.
A Community Mental Health Service for Veterans of the United Kingdom Armed Forces within the National Health Service (NHS)
Authors: Kitchiner Neil J.  , Bisson Jonathan I.
Published: February 2025

There is an absence of reliable data on how best to engage and treat veterans of the armed forces who have mental health problems. This paper will describe the development of a psychosocial care pathway for Welsh veterans who have mental health problems. A prototype care pathway was developed following focus groups with both experts and ill veterans and their careers. It was then tested on ten ill veterans consecutively referred to an outpatient Veterans Community Mental Health Service with three-month follow-up. Their feedback was used to refine the pathway for a further phase of testing. The key themes from the phase one pilot are discussed in this chapter.
Assessment of the Consequences of Anthropogenic Catastrophes on Ecological-Genetic Environmental Conditions and Human Health
Authors: Gorova Alla  , Klimkina Iryna  , Pavlychenko Artem  , Buchavy Yury
Published: February 2025

A methodology for the integral estimation of population health and the environment, based on the toxico-mutagenic background, has been developed. This methodology of socio-ecological monitoring, with the use of high-sensitivity cytogenetic methods of bio-indication, has been tested in one of the most anthropogenically loaded regions of Ukraine, the Dnepropetrovsk region, with the purpose of defining the dependence of changes in human health on the contamination level of the land. The levels of environmental hazard to humans and biota in the areas of mining-industrial production have been determined. The presented methodology allows the visualization of the collected data by means of medical-ecological maps and a comparison with other ecological characteristics. The data obtained form the basis for the acceptance of administrative decisions on improving population health and the environment.
Mechanisms of Governance of Agro-Ecosystem Services
Authors: Bachev Hrabrin
Published: February 2025

In this paper we incorporate interdisciplinary New Institutional and Transaction Costs Economics, and suggest a framework for analysis of mechanisms of governance of agro-ecosystem services. First, we present a new approach for analysis and improvement of governance of agro-ecosystem services taking into account: the role of specific institutional environment (formal and informal rules, distribution, and enforcement of rights); behavioral characteristics of agents (preferences, bounded rationality, opportunism, risk aversion, trust); transactions costs associated with ecosystem services and their critical factors (uncertainty, frequency, asset specificity, appropriability); comparative efficiency of market, private, public, and hybrid modes of governance. Second, we identify the spectrum of market and private forms of governance of agro-ecosystem services (voluntary initiatives; market trade with eco-products; special contracts; collective actions; vertical integration), and evaluate their efficiency and potential. Next, we identify needs for public involvement in agro-ecosystem services, and assess comparative efficiency of alternative modes of public interventions (assistance, regulations, funding, taxing, provision, partnership, property right modernization). Finally, we analyze structure and efficiency of the governance of agro-ecosystems services in Zapadna Stara Planina in Bulgaria. Postcommunist transition and EU integration brought about significant changes in the state and governance of agro-ecosystems services. Newly evolved market, private, and public governance led to significant improvement of part of the agro-ecosystems services, introducing modern eco-standards and public support, enhancing environmental stewardship, disintensifying production, recovering landscape and traditional productions, diversifying quality, products, and services. Simultaneously, novel governance is associated with some new challenges such as unsustainable exploitation, lost biodiversity, land degradation, and water and air contamination. Implementation of EU common policies would have no desired impact on agro-ecosystem services unless special measures are taken to improve management of public programs, and extend public support to dominating small-scale and subsistence farms.
Implications of Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing for Terrorism Prevention
Authors: Kessler David A.  , Tuzuner Musa
Published: February 2025

This chapter draws on experiences and scholarship surrounding two forms of local, cooperative-based counter-terrorism practices—community policing and problem-oriented policing—in order to explore their implications for broader level cooperation on international counter-terrorism practices.
The Five Pivotal Muslim Nations: Their Critical Role in the Possible Construction of a Hybrid Counterterrorism Regime
Authors: ASHRAF A.S.M. Ali
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores the emerging dynamics of a global counterterrorism regime and the role of “pivotal Muslim nations” in that security regime. The list of pivotal Muslim nations may be long; however, for conceptual rigor and brevity, this chapter investigates the role of five major Muslim nations: Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. In particular, it looks at the roles of both non-state and state actors in the formation of such a counter-terrorism effort.
World Financial Crisis and its Influence on Terror Financing
Authors: Bollag Josef
Published: February 2025

This chapter discusses the impact of the worldwide financial crisis on terror financing. An overview of the current crisis is followed by the description of the Western governments’ reaction to the crisis and its impact on financing of terror. Then we discuss the trend of investors to invest their assets in countries of the Muslim world. Finally, some serious concerns are raised in the Conclusions section.
Language-independent Techniques for Automated Text Summarization
Authors: Last Mark  , Litvak Marina
Published: February 2025

Text summarization is the process of distilling the most important information from source/sources to produce an abridged version for a particular user/users and task/tasks. Automatically generated summaries can significantly reduce the information overload on intelligence analysts in their daily work. Moreover, automated text summarization can be utilized for automated classification and filtering of text documents, information search over the Internet, content recommendation systems, online social networks, etc.
Cyber Criminal Mechanisms Employed in Social Engineering and Technical Tricks
Authors: Barseghyan Artak
Published: February 2025

One of the strongest methods of attack to cyber security is attack on human factor. This is based on human week parts. Here attacker manipulates people for divulging confidential information or performing actions. This is known as social engineering. Some classical types of social engineering pretexting, phishing, vishing, baiting, etc., schemes of attacks that social engineers use, defending schemes and real life examples are discussed.
Maritime and Supply Chain Security in Europe
Authors: Cant Dominique
Published: February 2025

The paper summarizes the currently existing regulations and measures to ensure maritime security in the European Union, United States and Internationally, and makes observations regarding the implementation and the consistency of implementation of these measures between all nations involved in the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The paper specifically mentions issues with the supply chain management of container and cargo transport that are hard to manage due to multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional nature of the ports. The paper then describes and refers to a number of recommendations and amendments to current policy and procedures that will correct many of existing deficiencies. It stresses the importance of the development of a Community security framework for the supply chain instead of opting for a patchwork approach.
Information Quality and Decision Making in the Human-in-the-loop Environment
Authors: Rogova Galina
Published: February 2025

Harbour protection requires monitoring the global maritime domain for building a dynamic situational picture in order to increase the ability of the decision makers to predict threat and manage operations to mitigate their possible impact. Effective situation assessment and decision making call for an integrated human-machine information environment, in which some processes are best executed automatically while for others the judgment and guidance of human experts and end-users are critical. Thus decision making in the integrated information environment requires constant information exchange between human and automated agents that utilize operational data, data obtained from sensors, intelligence reports, and open source information. The quality of decision making strongly depends on the quality of such input data as well as the information produced by automated agents and human decision makers. Designing the methods of representing and incorporating information quality into this environment is a relatively new and a rather difficult problem. The paper discusses major challenges and suggests some approaches to address this problem.
Geo-Feasibility Concept for Maritime Domain Awareness
Authors: St-Hilaire Marie-Odette  , Helleur Chris  , Lefebvre Eric
Published: February 2025

Maritime surveillance of coastal regions involves processing of data from a large number of heterogeneous surveillance sources. The generation of effective Maritime Domain Awareness requires that the tracks from these sources be fused. The vast majority of track pairs in an area of interest do not represent the same vessel. These fusion candidate pairs can often be rejected based on their geo-feasibility. This paper presents the geo-feasibility concept and its role in track-to-track fusion support in an extremely heterogeneous maritime surveillance environment.
Harbour Protection: The Role of NATO Navies in the Third Millenium
Authors: Mucedola Andrea
Published: February 2025

After 9/11, the world has seen a dramatic change in the nature of threat, moving from a static, clearly identified possible menace to an asymmetric one where rules are unclear and unpredictable. Example of such asymmetric threats include: various terrorist acts, such as naval sea mines, improvised explosive devices (C-IED), weapons of mass destruction (WMD), suicide attacks, as well as illegal migration, narco-traffic, etc., which can dramatically and quickly capture international political attention, providing more and more sensitive challenges to master. It is therefore necessary to establish balanced and feasible defence measures in order to adequately respond to threats in the global requirement for security. This paper describes various common NATO initiatives launched to jointly reduce vulnerability and enhance security in ports, including joint policy as well as new technology development.
Web-Service Network for Context-Aware Emergency Management
Authors: Smirnov Alexander  , Shilov Nikolay  , Levashova Tatiana  , Kashevnik Alexey
Published: February 2025

The paper addresses the issue of context-aware operational decision support in emergency situations. A decision support system developed for this purpose is implemented as a network of a set of Web-services. Web-services are designed to organize a service network according to context represented by a “problem model,” which specifies problems to be solved in a particular kind of emergency situation. Context representation is based on knowledge extracted from the application domain (application ontology) and is formalized by a set of constraints. The purpose of the service network is to provide a decision support system with contextualized information from diverse information sources and to solve the problems specified in the context . The paper presents the process of designing an application ontology for the emergency management domain from Semantic Web Ontologies, and a hybrid technology for context-aware operational decision support. The technology is based on ontology management, context management, constraint satisfaction, and Web Services. Application of the above ideas is illustrated by an example of a decision support system for real-time resource management in logistics operations for fire response.
Process, Organizations, and Technology Requirements to Meet Challenges of Seaport Infrastructure Security
Authors: Bossé Éloi  , Herrero Jesús Garcia  , Mejia Max  , Mucedola Andrea  , Stoyanov Nikola  , St-Hilaire Marie-Odette
Published: February 2025

The NATO ARW Breakout Group One addressed the representation of the problem space in terms of its three dimensions, namely Process, Organization and Technology Requirements in order to achieve domain awareness with respect to harbour protection.
Human Performance Challenges in Port/Harbour Security Systems
Authors: Ho Melissa  , Wilson Darren  , Lockett-Reynolds Janae  , Malone Thomas B.
Published: February 2025

Human Systems Integration (HSI) in port/harbour security systems is directed at optimizing the performance of security personnel in identifying threats, avoiding threats, defending assets, establishing and monitoring barriers, repelling an attack, and minimizing damage. The goal of HSI in this context is to optimize performance of these personnel by providing them with efficient and effective technology, weapons, information, knowledge, decision aiding, and procedures to defeat the threat. There are challenges, however, in applying HSI to port/harbour security system design. Some challenges include: (1) designing human machine interfaces to support surveillance vigilance and situation awareness, (2) reduction of the incidence and impact of human error, (3) reduction of human workload, (4) support of decision making and provision of decision support , (5) designing displays that are intuitive and integrated, and (6) reduction of risks associated with denying access or engaging an adversary. This paper provides a rationale for the importance of considering these challenges when developing system performance requirements to be incorporated into the design and development process for the purpose of ensuring mission success.
Human Factors Analysis of Different Types of Uncertainties in Complex Systems
Authors: Atoyan Hasmik  , Robert Jean-Marc  , Duquet Jean-Rémi
Published: February 2025

Decision Support Systems help human operators to cope with large amount of information and make decisions. However, in complex dynamic environments, automation can create different types of uncertainties in the system, and consequently, in the mind of the operator. A comprehensive understanding of the types of uncertainties in complex environments and their impact on human decision-making is essential for designing safe and efficient systems. In this paper, we analyze and identify different types of uncertainties that could surface during human-automation interaction. We will consider the problem of uncertainty from the human factor perspective and propose guidelines for designing systems that will support human operators in performing their tasks efficiently while coping with uncertainties.
Using the Internet to Study Mental Health and Related Outcomes Following Exposure to Large-Scale, Potentially Traumatic Events
Authors: Schlenger William E.  , Litz Brett T.  , McLean Carmen P.
Published: February 2025

Conducting methodologically rigorous, community epidemiologic studies of the outcomes of large-scale potentially traumatic events (PTEs) presents extraordinary challenges. The primary scientific and logistical challenges of conducting such studies, however, result primarily from the fundamental unpredictability of the exposures of interest (i.e., the fact that disasters typically occur with little or no warning). Most of the important design problems arise from two unavoidable factors: the necessarily observational nature of the studies, and the need for the studies to be implemented quickly. In this chapter, we describe how using the Internet can enhance the design of these studies, focusing on three critical design features: probability sampling; psychometrically sound assessment of outcomes and other postexposure factors; and the use of prospective, longitudinal designs. We also describe recently developed methods for conducting Internet-based community epidemiologic studies, including prerecruited participant panels and multiple mode designs. We conclude that the Internet can be a valuable tool in conducting these studies, but that it will not be feasible as an assessment mode for some kinds of PTEs. Rather, Internet-based assessment is best understood as one of many tools that investigators will need in their tool kit for conducting scientifically sound, cost-efficient community epidemiologic studies of outcomes associated with large-scale PTEs.
Health Economics of Web-Based Mental Health Interventions to Mitigate the Effects of Trauma
Authors: Lewis Catrin  , Bisson Jonathan I.
Published: February 2025

Web-based mental health interventions have been developed with the aim of reaching a large population of people cost-effectively. An understanding of the principles underlying health economics is therefore essential to those designing, implementing, and delivering web-based interventions. This chapter describes what is meant by health economics, provides instruction on how to carry out an economic evaluation, and reviews existing evidence for the cost-effectiveness of web-based interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of trauma.
Preventing Traumatic Stress after Child Injury: Development of a Website for Parents
Authors: Kassam-Adams Nancy  , Marsac Meghan L.  , Winston Flaura
Published: February 2025

Injury is a common experience for children worldwide. Over 80% of children develop some traumatic stress symptoms in the month following injury. Regardless of injury severity, 15 to 20% of injured children develop persistent and impairing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), including 5 to 10% who develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Similar rates of symptoms are observed in the parents of injured children.) PTSS are a key predictor of child functional outcomes post-injury. Parents are the most important resource for acutely injured children, and yet are often unaware of how best to help their child. The Internet can provide easily accessible and quick information and tools to a wide range of parents of injured children. This chapter describes the development process for the After the Injury website (www.aftertheinjury.org) from concept to execution, including initial efforts to evaluate the website’s utility and acceptability to parents. After the Injury aims to prevent persistent PTSS and PTSD through a web-based information and psychoeducational intervention. The development of this site highlights several important principles: 1) selecting evidence-informed objectives and content; 2) utilizing user-centered design to guide the site’s look, design, and functionality, and help ensure parent engagement; and 3) incorporating evaluation throughout the process of site development and implementation.
Using the Internet to Deliver Treatments for PTSD
Authors: McLean Carmen P.  , Schlenger William E.  , Litz Brett T.
Published: February 2025

More than half of a given population will be exposed to a traumatic event in their lifetime, and, although most individuals will recover on their own, a salient minority will go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other serious threats to wellness and quality of life. Without treatment, PTSD tends to be chronic, and is associated with considerable personal and public health costs. Unfortunately, most individuals with PTSD do not get the care they need because there are a variety of barriers to treatment-seeking (e.g., stigma) and treatment access, including a shortage of well-trained professionals, a scarcity of professionals who provide evidence-based treatment, and the unavailability of expert care outside of city centers. In this chapter, we review the key challenges associated with providing evidence-based treatment to individuals who have experienced trauma, and highlight ways in which Internet-based approaches can be used to overcome these challenges. Next, we describe several existing Internet-based treatment programs for PTSD, and the efficacy of these treatments. Last, we suggest some important considerations for future research that may impact the effectiveness of Internet-based treatments for PTSD.
Internet-Based Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Wagner Birgit  , Maercker Andreas
Published: February 2025

In the last decade, psychological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become available over the Internet. An Internet-based therapy for trauma victims (Interapy) that combines manual-based cognitive behavioral writing therapy with Internet technology has been pioneered. Three randomized controlled studies have shown that Interapy is effective, producing large reductions in symptoms of PTSD. This chapter describes the treatment rationale, presents individual treatment modules, and discusses specific aspects of the online therapeutic relationship. Finally, it presents Ilajnafsy, a culturally adapted version of Interapy for PTSD patients in Iraq.
The Black Sea – A Key Strategic Corridor
Authors: Japaridze Tedo
Published: February 2025

The Black Sea region forms the new eastern border of the European Union and constitutes a vital strategic corridor between Europe, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East. This paper highlights the region's principal security challenges and outlines the prospects for greater regional stability as the Black Sea states develop closer ties with Europe.
Shaping a New Security Architecture
Authors: Parlog Adrian
Published: February 2025

The strategic importance of the Black Sea will increase because it is a vital energy transit corridor for oil and gas from Russia and Central Asia to Europe. Energy security will drive both economic cooperation and strategic confrontation in the region. In response, this paper calls for the establishment of a new security architecture to maximize cooperation and minimize confrontation between Black Sea states. Specific security challenges include government corruption, uncontrolled regions, and uncoordinated membership of security and defense organizations. The paper sees improved intelligence and law enforcement information sharing as valuable and achievable steps towards greater regional cooperation and integration.
The Role of the South East European Cooperation Initiative Center (SECI) in Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism and Illicit Trafficking
Authors: Nenova Snejana
Published: February 2025

This paper looks at the role of the South East European Cooperation Initiative (SECI) in law-enforcement cooperation in South East Europe and the Black Sea, and considers SECI's capacity to combat organized crime and illegal trafficking in the Black Sea. Established in 1999, the SECI Center provides a focal point for police and customs cooperation in the region. SECI's information network coordinates between 24 national customs and police forces and is supported by 12 National Focal Points set up in the Member States using an encrypted Virtual Private Network to connect with the SECI Center. SECI Task Forces organize and execute regional anti-crime operations and coordinate investigations.
Energy Prediction in Smart Environments
Authors: Chen Chao  , Das Barnan  , Cook Diane J.
Published: February 2025

In the past decade, smart home environment research has found application in many areas, such as activity recognition, visualization, and automation. However, less attention has been paid to monitoring, analyzing, and predicting energy usage in smart homes, despite the fact that electricity consumption in homes has grown dramatically. In this paper, we extract the useful features from sensor data collected in the smart home environment and select the most significant features based on mRMR feature selection criterion, then utilize three machine learning algorithms to predict energy use given these features. To validate these algorithms, we use real sensor data collected from volunteers living in our smart apartment testbed. We compare the performance between alternative learning algorithms and analyze the results of two experiments performed in the smart home.
A Survey in Consciousness in Robots and Future of Reception Robots
Authors: Farid Ghassem Nia Hossein
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a story about consciousness and future of reception robots. A prototype version of reception robot is developed at university of Essex for university open days and Features that are mentioned in this paper are mostly based on it. Another part of story is a discussion about consciousness in robots. In this part, it is aimed to provide a picture of consciousness and answer some questions about ethical problems that may occur in future in facing robots that look like human.
A Semi-supervised Cluster-and-label Algorithm for Utterance Classification
Authors: Albalate Amparo  , Suchindranath Aparna  , Minker Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

In this paper we propose a novel cluster-and-label semi-supervised algorithm for utterance classification algorithm. The approach assumes that the underlying class distribution is roughly captured through -fully unsupervised- clustering. Then, a minimum amount of labeled examples are used to automatically label the extracted clusters, so that the initial label set is “augmented” to the whole clustered data. The optimum cluster labeling is achieved by means of the Hungarian algorithm, traditionally used to solve any optimization assignment problem. Finally, the augmented labeled set is applied to train a Naïve Bayes classifier. This semi-supervised approach has been compared to a fully supervised version, in which the initial labeled sets are directly used to train the classifier.
Markers of Apoptosis and Lymphocytes Subtypes among Persons Occupationally Exposed to X-Rays in Cardiac Catheterisation Units
Authors: Korraa Soheir S.  , Meguid Sanaa Abdel  , Khalil Rasha M.  , Hussein Abdel Razik  , Khalek Nabila Abdel
Published: February 2025

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunological status among medical staff occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation at the cardiac catheterisation units of three different University hospitals (Ain Shams, Al Azhar and National Heart Centre at Embaba) in Cairo, Egypt. The individual annual collective dose information was estimated with thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) system. It was 0.02 – 0.3 mSv/y 0.42 – 0.94, mSv/y and 1.16 – 8.44 mSv/y for the three hospitals respectively. Venous blood samples were obtained from 60 hospital workes (20 from each hospital) exposed to x-ray during fluoroscopy procedure as well as from 20 people not exposed to ionizing radiation and not working at hospitals, and from 20 people not exposed to ionizing radiation and working at hospitals. Blood samples were assayed for apoptosis percentage in circulating lymphocytes and lymphocyte’s phenotypes CD4 and CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio. Results revealed significant increase in the apoptosis percentage in circulating lymphocytes, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio. However, the Embaba group, of which the highest level deviated from the latter finding where CD4 and CD4/CD were significantly decreased in comparison with controls and the other two groups of cardiac catheterisation workers. It is concluded that apoptosis percentage in circulating lymphocytes and cell phenotype analysis for lymphocyte phenotypes including CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 can offer a more precise indicators for radiation exposure to effective low dose levels of ionizing radiation.
Studies on Response to the Challenging Dose of X-rays in Lymphocytes of Patients Undergoing Diagnosis and Treatment with Iodine –131
Authors: Gąsiorkiewicz Jan  , Krzysiek Mateusz  , Miszczyk Justyna  , Panek Agnieszka  , Pawlus Jolanta  , Stępień Artur  , Cebulska-Wasilewska Antonina
Published: February 2025

Iodine-131 is used in nuclear medicine both diagnostically and therapeutically. Internal exposure to radioiodine can lead to cellular DNA damage not only in thyroid cells but also in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The aim of our study is to investigate the influence of the the therapeutic treatment exposure to131Iodine on cellular DNA repair efficiency and to estimate potential side effects that could enhance a health risk. For that purpose in lymphocytes from patients undergoing diagnosis or treatment with radioiodine is investigated the sensitivity to ionizing radiation and repair rate of induced DNA damage on molecular and cellular levels and compared to matched control.
Protective Role of Vitamin C, E and Phyto-Food Preparation Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Damage
Authors: Anwar Wagida A.  , El-Daway Hassan A.  , Tawfik Sameh S.
Published: February 2025

Radioprotective agents could be identified as chemical compounds capable of ameliorating the biological influence of ionizing radiation when administered before radiation-exposure. Vitamins, as micronutrients, confer protection from lethal effects of radiation and may have an effect on different tissues. Phyto-foods seem to have beneficial effects on ameliorating and controlling radiation hazards. Generally, micronutrients and phyto-foods members available seem to be safe when used as supplements mixed with drugs. This article reviews the accumulated evidence that: vitamin C & E and phyto-foods play an important role in defence against ionizing radiation. Furthermore, we have discussed evidence gathered from various investigations to demonstrate the basis of the radio protective effects of vitamin C & E and phyto-foods at the cellular and molecular levels. It also provides details on the progress of phyto-foods research for radioprotection.
Late and Low Dose Radiation Effects in Mammals as a Consequence of the Accidental Radionuclide Release to the Environment
Authors: Osipov Andreyan N.
Published: February 2025

The results of the experiments modelling a low dose-rate irradiation at radioactive contaminated territories (dose-rate of 61-62.5 cGy/year) showed that gamma-rays irradiation results in statistically significant changes in the DNA strand breaks level, apoptotic cells frequency, and reactive oxygen species production rate in mouse blood system cells starting of doses above 14-20 cGy. No significant increase in the cytogenetic disturbance frequencies was found in mice at doses up to ˜ 60 cGy. The results of biomonitoring studies of bank voles populations showed that voles captured from the radionuclide contaminated territories (dose-rate of 0.012-0.72 mGy/day), as a rule, were characterised by normal hematological and pathology-morphological indices. No significant increase in the DNA breaks level was found in spleen cells and peripheral blood leukocytes or in the percent of bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei. The data obtained strongly support the non-linear threshold hypothesis of low dose-rate ionizing radiation genotoxic action.
Comparison of Radio-Sensitivity and DNA Repair Efficiency of Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients Using SCGE (Comet) Assay
Authors: Krzysiek Mateusz  , Cebulska-Wasilewska Antonina
Published: February 2025

There are studies suggesting that challenge assay with SCGE (Comet) technique can be applied to identify a subpopulations of individuals that are much more sensitive or resistant to ionizing radiation or express much higher or lover efficiency of DNA damage repair. This information might be very important in predicating possible effects of uncontrolled accidental exposure to genotoxic agents.
Comparison of the Radiation Level Measured by Physical Dosimeters Located in the Tatra Mountains and at the Control Sites
Authors: Kłosowski Mariusz  , Kozak Krzysztof  , Mazur Jadwiga  , Olko Paweł  , Kubica Barbara  , Skawiński Paweł  , Cebulska-Wasilewska Antonina
Published: February 2025

One of the aims of the NATO Advanced Training Course ‘RADIPER’ (http://natoatcradiper.org.pl) was to demonstrate also a possibility of recognizing an environmental risk by physical measurements. The Valley of the White (Dolina Białego) is an excellent example of mountain beauty situated in wooded sections of the Tatra Mountains. The half way to the top of the Valley are mouth of the cave with gratings installed. This cave, the former uranium mining drift entrance, is one of the remain of the past exploration, that was carried out in the Valley until the sixties of previous century. The main aim of the trip to the Valley of the White was to find out if any increase in radioactivity level can be detected in the Valley of the White (Dolina Białego) or its neighbourhood that should be considered as a potential health risk to tourists or the forest men. For that purpose, one month before that Course, the environmental TLD dosimeters (in the form of pellets) were installed in several sites in the Valley of the White, including two caves. During the excursion the TLD dosimeters were collected and gamma dose rates H*(10) were measured using GammaTRACER monitor (Genitron GmbH) with a 2-minute registering cycle. The GammaTRACER monitor detector was also used to register gamma dose rate inside two mining drifts investigated in the Valley. The values of H*(10) along the Valley of the White ranged between 100 nSv/h and 120 nSv/h, demonstrating no significant increase of radiation levels along the tourist’s path. The average value of H*(10) in one cave (former drift, that are not accessible to the public) mounted to 1636 nSv/h with the maximum value of 4144 nSv/h. A good agreement between results of measurements performed with two types of detectors was observed.
Analysing Relation between Emergence and Development of Complex Dynamics of a System
Authors: Stepanić Josip
Published: February 2025

The notions of complex systems and emergence are rather closely related. Nevertheless, both are prevalently identified after a dynamics of the system is known and sufficiently understood. This article focuses on the possibility for drawing conclusions on one of these notions if some data about the other are known. On the one hand, we analyse the possibility of determining the likelihood of emergent phenomena occurrence during the evolution of a complex system dynamics. On the other hand, we analyse the possibility of predicting dynamics of a complex system if one knows some characteristics of emergent phenomena in it. The basis of the approach consists in attributing analogues of quantities from physics to a model of a complex system. The emphasis is on relating a complex system’s evolution and localised-in-time emergent phenomena.
Optimizing the Management of Complex Dynamic Ecosystems: An Ecological-Economic Modeling Approach
Authors: Kharlamova Ganna
Published: February 2025

The theory of complex dynamic ecosystems views economy of the state as complex configurations of multitudes of economic actors (individuals, firms, industries, states) engaged in overlapping and interlocking patterns of relationship with one another and with environment. Ecological-economic systems are groups of interacting, interdependent parts linked together by exchanges of energy, matter, capital and information. Economic dynamics is complex in the sense that it is characterized by heterogeneity of economic actors’ capabilities, desires, needs and knowledge, high interrelatedness among economic actors, emergence of macro-level properties from multiple individual interactions, and the rise of feedback effects caused by economic actors’ capabilities of recognizing and responding to the emergent macro-level features. This is a report on using systems thinking and system dynamics methodology to understand complex, dynamic ecological-economic and managerial problems. One objective is to learn system dynamics, a simulation based methodology to analyze complex dynamic ecological-economic problems. To this purpose, concepts of dynamic complexity, tools of dynamic feedback modeling, the important role of feedback, delays and nonlinearities, and basic dynamic feedback structures are covered.
Crypto applications of combinatorial group theory
Authors: Ilić Ivana  , Magliveras Spyros S.
Published: February 2025

The design of a large number of cryptographic primitives is based on the intractability of the traditional discrete logarithm problem (tDLP). However, the well known quantum algorithm of P. Shor [9] solves the tDLP in polynomial time, thus rendering all cryptographic schemes based on tDLP ineffective, should quantum computers become a practical reality. In [5] M. Sramka et al. generalize the DLP to arbitrary finite groups. The DLP for a non-abelian group is based on a particular representation of a chosen family of groups, and a choice of a class of generators for these groups. In this paper we show that for PSL(2, p) = ⟨α, β⟩, p an odd prime, certain choices of generators (α, β) must be avoided to insure that the resulting generalized DLP is indeed intractable. For other types of generating pairs we suggest possible cryptanalytic attacks, reducing the new problem to the earlier case. We note however that the probability of success is asymptotic to 1/p as p → ∞. The second part of the paper summarizes our successful attack of the SL(2, 2n) based Tillich Zémor cryptographic hash function [2], and show how to construct collisions between palindromic strings of length 2n + 2.
Sequences and arrays with desirable correlation properties
Authors: Arasu K.T.
Published: February 2025

Binary perfect sequences and their variations have applications in various areas such as signal processing, synchronizing and distance measuring radars. This survey discusses their p-ary analogs, other variations and related matters. Many new results are also presented.
Designs, strongly regular graphs and codes constructed from some primitive groups
Authors: Crnković Dean  , Mikulić Crnković Vedrana  , Rodrigues B.G.
Published: February 2025

Let G be a finite group acting primitively on the sets &OHgr;1and &OHgr;2. We describe a construction of 1-designs with block set &OHgr;1and block set &OHgr;2, having G as an automorphism group. Applying this construction method we obtain a unital 2-(q3+1, q+1, 1), and a semi-symmetric (q4−q3+q2, q2−q, (1)) from the unitary group U3(q), where q = 3, 4, 5, 7. From the unital and the semi-symmetric design we build a projective plane PG(2, q2). Further, we describe other combinatorial structures constructed from these unitary groups and structures constructed from U4(2), U4(3) and L2(49).
Finding error-correcting codes using computers
Authors: Lam Clement
Published: February 2025

The theory of error-correcting codes is a vast and fast-moving area with many open problems. The objective of this paper is to survey where the current boundaries of knowledge are in a few selected areas, by listing the smallest unsolved cases. Our hope is that these lists will motivate further computational to move these boundaries.
Unbiased Hadamard matrices and bases
Authors: Kharaghani Hadi
Published: February 2025

Mutually unbiased unit Hadamard (MUUH) matrices have been studied for almost 40 years. Recent interest in such matrices has been motivated by their applications to quantum information theory. In this paper, we introduce the class of mutually unbiased complex Hadamard (MUCH) matrices having as sntries fourth roots of unity. The number of MUCH matrices of order 2n, n odd, is at most 2, and the bound is attained for n = 1,5,9. Certain pairs of mutually unbiased complex Hadamard matrices of order m can be used to construct pairs of unbiased real Hadamard matrices of order 2m. We then turn our attention to the class of mutually unbiased real Hadamard matrices of order 16n2which seem to be the most interesting ones. Mutually unbiased weighing (MUW) matrices are introduced for the first time. Further study of these objects look quite promising.
Finite geometry designs, codes, and Hamada's conjecture
Authors: Tonchev Vladimir D.
Published: February 2025

The coding-theoretical interest in combinatorial designs defined by subspaces of a finite geometry was motivated in the 1960's by their use for the construction of majority-logic decodable codes. In 1973, Hamada computed the ranks of the incidence matrices of finite geometry designs over the underlying finite field and made the conjecture that geometric designs have minimum rank among all designs with the given parameters. In all proved cases of the conjecture, the geometric designs not only have minimum rank, but are also the unique (up to isomorphism) designs of minimum rank. Until recently, only a handful of non-geometric designs were known that share the same rank with geometric designs. This paper discusses some recently discovered infinite families of non-geometric designs that have the same parameters and the same rank as certain geometric designs.
The arithmetic of genus two curves
Authors: Shaska T.  , Beshaj L.
Published: February 2025

Genus 2 curves have been an object of much mathematical interest since eighteenth century and continued interest to date. They have become an important tool in many algorithms in cryptographic applications, such as factoring large numbers, hyperelliptic curve cryptography, etc. Choosing genus 2 curves suitable for such applications is an important step of such algorithms. In existing algorithms often such curves are chosen using equations of moduli spaces of curves with decomposable Jacobians or Humbert surfaces.
Covering arrays and hash families
Authors: Colbourn Charles J.
Published: February 2025

The explicit construction of covering arrays arises in many disparate applications in which factors or components interact. Despite this, current computational tools are effective only when the number of factors is small, while probabilistic methods are typically effective only when the number of factors is very large. Consequently combinatorial constructions have played, and continue to play, a significant role. Although some direct constructions from codes, Steiner systems, Hadamard matrices, and arrays over the finite field provide very useful examples, the workhorses of the combinatorial methods are the recursive constructions. There are two main classes of recursive techniques, the cut-and-paste or Roux-type constructions, and the column replacement techniques. After describing both for strength two, the focus is on column replacement techniques. In particular, constructions that use hash families to select columns from smaller covering arrays are examined, in order to understand the interplay among properties of the hash families and covering arrays needed to produce effective constructions. This leads to specializations both of hash families and covering arrays that merit further investigation.