bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Create Added Value of Smart Home Technology in Small Scale Senior Accommodations
Authors: Huisman Emelieke R. C. M.  , Lanting Gerrit Jan  , Duits Hans B.  , Kort Helianthe S. M.
Published: February 2025

Smart home technology has been introduced as a potential solution to support ageing in place, to enhance the quality of life of residents, or to decrease the workload of professionals. The ability of smart home technology is to monitor the activity of daily living and safety of residents. The aim of this study is to get insight into the use of smart home technology and implementation in healthcare facilities. Preliminary results show that healthcare facilities have become aware of the added value of smart home technology in small scale senior accommodations to enhance the quality of care and to contribute to the quality of life of residents. Further research is needed to explore how smart home technology contribute to the quality of life and how it influence the workload of professionals.
A Framework for the Automatic Adaptation of User Interfaces
Authors: Sili Miroslav  , Gira Matthias  , Mayer Christopher  , Morandell Martin  , Petzold Martin
Published: February 2025

Older adults benefit from information and communication technology solutions and services in the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) domain. Unfortunately offered user interfaces for these ICT solutions often do not take the special needs, preferences and the physical and mental capabilities of older adults into account. The project AALuis focuses on solutions to increase accessibility, adaptability and usability of user interfaces in the AAL domain. The general idea is to build a layer which can be used for different platforms to connect different types of user interfaces on different I/O devices with various AAL services. The layer shall take the burden from the service developers to design a target group friendly user interface by providing mechanisms for an automatic user interface generation. First results have shown that the chosen approach is very powerful, but as well that the automatic user interface generation process needs optimization and additional semantic information to be able to build richer user interfaces.
The Relationship between Cognitive Impairment and Assistive Technology: Implications for Effective Aid Use
Authors: Bastnes Lie Øyvind  , Paaske Jeppe Johan
Published: February 2025

Assistive technology for cognition (ATC) can compensate for cognitive impairments, thereby having a large potential to improve independence, daily-life/work participation and overall quality of life. The aim of this paper is to incorporate research findings, experiences from clinical work, and findings from ATC-projects, and to give an account of factors that predict effective use of compensatory technological aids in cognitively impaired individuals. The implications of these factors for future standardization initiatives in the field of ATC are discussed, and suggestions on how to develop assessment and implementation guidelines are proposed.
Evaluation of the Acceptance of a Social Assistive Robot for Physical Training Support Together with Older Users and Domain Experts
Authors: Werner Franz  , Krainer Daniela  , Oberzaucher Johannes  , Werner Katharina
Published: February 2025

According to recent studies a strength of socially assistive robots (SARs) is the ability to motivate users to perform tasks in a multimodal manner. Within this paper the evaluation of a SAR based prototype for support of physical therapy of older users at home is described. By performing a user study with a training system consisting of a social assistive robot (NAO) in combination with the Microsoft Kinect, the acceptance of human robot interaction (HRI) within the field of physical training as well as the impact on user motivation was evaluated. Results regarding motivational abilities of a SAR and the user acceptance towards the system are given.
Prompt-fading Strategies in Robot Mediated Play Sessions
Authors: Besio Serenella  , Carnesecchi Marco  , Converti Rosa Maria
Published: February 2025

Play is the primary way for children to acquire cognitive, social and relational skills. However, children with disabilities risk to be deprived of their freedom and their right to play in spite of the efforts made by adults in the familiar, educational and rehabilitation context. This work investigates the adults' role in letting children with Cerebral Palsy acquiring play skills through a playful interaction with a robot. The originality of this research lies in evaluating the prompt fading technique in a playful environment given that this strategy has so far, in fact, only been applied to contexts of rehabilitation and learning.
Development of a Bicycle Simulator System for Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiyuki  , Kinoshita Takafuni  , Nitta Osamu  , Komeda Takashi
Published: February 2025

In the rehabilitation training for stroke survivors, patients sometimes request training through riding a bicycle. However, sufficient space and therapists are required for the rehabilitation using bicycle. To solve these problems, a bicycle simulator for stroke rehabilitation has been developed. The system consists of a bicycle, a control computer, a visual system and a sound system. It can provide simulated traffic environment to the user and he/she can pedal on the bicycle in the virtual world for motor and cognitive functional training. Rehabilitation training on the bicycle simulator is not only to achieve functional recovery but also to improve patient's quality of life and independent life by ensuring the transportation.
Changes in Playfulness with a Robotic Intervention in a Child with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Rincon A.M. Rios  , Adams K.D.  , Magill-Evans J.  , Cook A.M.
Published: February 2025

Children with a severe motor impairment due to cerebral palsy have a free play deprivation due to their physical impairment. There is evidence that playfulness is affected in children with cerebral palsy. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a home-based robot intervention that promotes free play, on the child's level of playfulness. This study was a pilot study for a future multiple baseline design (MBD) across subjects. The participant was a 4 year old girl with cerebral palsy who played with her mother at home. The 5 week intervention used a robot as an augmentative manipulation device for play. The playfulness level increased slightly during the intervention. Reflections for future studies are discussed.
Evaluation of Physical Load While Propelling Manual Wheelchair on Cross Slope Road and Wave Road
Authors: Hashizume Tsutomu  , Kitagawa Hiroshi  , Lee Hokyoo  , Ueda Hisatoshi  , Miyamoto Tadayoshi  , Yoneda Ikuo  , Fujisawa Shoichiro
Published: February 2025

A vertical and cross slope, waves (unevenness) of a sidewalk are significant barrier to the mobility of wheelchair users. In Japan, the Law for Promoting Barrier-free Transport and Facilities for the Elderly and the Disabled specifies that a cross slope in sidewalk is recommended to be 1% gradient or less and it is allowed to be no greater than 2% when it is unavoidable. However, it is necessary to clarify the evidence for the guidelines how changes in a cross slope gradient affect the accessibility and the physical load of wheelchair users. And the objective assessment of barrier-free road construction to resolve wave-road should be investigated. The objective of this study was to experimentally clarify the relationship between the cross slope of an actual sidewalk environment and the physical load of wheelchair users by the oxygen uptake and the wheelchair propelling force. Our experimental results showed that the physical load of a wheelchair user in the 2% cross slope was not so strong statistically compared with the level surface. On the other hand, the required force of a downhill side handrim was significantly greater than that of an uphill side handrim. This unbalance of propelling force caused by the cross slope would increase the physical load of wheelchair users especially with hemiplegia. The reduced oxygen cost index indicated that the barrier-free road construction was effective for improving the accessibility of wheelchair. Based on these findings, we propose the evidence of a wheelchair user's physical load while propelling a cross slope and a wave-road.
iWalkActive: An Active Walker for Active People
Authors: Morandell Martin  , Rumsch Andreas  , Biallas Martin  , Kindberg Stefan  , Züsli Richard  , Lurf Robert  , Fuxreiter Thomas
Published: February 2025

iWalkActive aims to enhance the mobility of elderly people with mobility impairments, especially in the outdoor area by combining an all-terrain rollator with an e-drive system and a mobile device for indoor & outdoor navigation and further innovative services. This paper describes the idea of the iWalkActive project, organization and results of the requirements analysis and an outlook on the development process.
Apps for Augmentative and Alternative Communication – A Forum on the Web
Authors: Buchholz Margret  , Mattsson Müller Ingrid  , Olsson Maria  , Gani Ulrika
Published: February 2025

Smartphones and tablets have taken place in the field of assistive technology and there are now many apps to use for people with communication difficulties. There are websites, blogs and Facebook groups discussing different apps, but it can be hard to navigate between different forums and get the information you are looking for. The longterm goal with this project is to increase knowledge and compile data on how smartphones and tablets may be equipped with apps to support the every-day life of people with communication difficulties. In the first part of the three-year long project, a web forum has been designed within the realms of the website of Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology (SIAT), where information about communication apps for smartphones and tablets are compiled. The forum makes it easy to search and compare apps and read about others' experiences. It is open to everyone, and relies on tips and reviews from those who use it. The project members maintain the forum by testing and evaluating apps and submit them in the forum. Address to SIAT's forum: www.hi.se/appar.
Atlab: An Accessible Cross Platform Gaming Framework for People with Disabilities
Authors: Heumader Peter  , Augstein Mirjam  , Burger Thomas  , Hofer David  , Koutny Reinhard  , Kurschl Werner  , Miesenberger Klaus  , Stitz Holger  , Vieghofer Markus
Published: February 2025

Being able to develop accessible cross platform applications by having a single codebase is a major advantage for software-engineering. However it is difficult to overcome the diversity of operating systems, the different interaction paradigms on mobile devices and desktop computers while still being able to adapt to the users special needs. Being able to exchange game data or game content between devices and to manage users is also a big issue. In this paper we describe our approach to create such a framework, the current results and the experiences we gained during the development process.
Accesibility Increase to E-Readers and Tablets through Wireless Remote Control
Authors: Sevilla Joaquin  , Esandi Ion  , Valgañón Julen  , Itoiz Maitane  , Fabo Francisco J.
Published: February 2025

The aim of the project here presented is to develop a wireless remote control that enable users physically challenged to manage e-readers and tablets through devices adapted to their needs, by providing an alternative to the use of buttons or a conventional touch screen. The remote built acts as an interface between the reading device and the control system suitable for each user, joysticks pedals, blowers, etc. greatly increasing the accessibility to these technologies.
Enhancing Web Accessibility through User Modelling and Adaption Techniques
Authors: Abascal Julio  , Arbelaitz Olatz  , Arrue Myriam  , Lojo Aizea  , Muguerza Javier  , Pérez Juan Eduardo  , Perona Iñigo  , Valencia Xabier
Published: February 2025

User-adapted interaction based on user modelling is a well known methodology that can be applied to enhance accessibility. To this respect, the structure and content of the user model is a key issue to ensure adequate adaptation. This paper describes the use of Web mining techniques to create user models that allow adaption of the Web interaction pattern. The main novelty of this system is the application of machine learning techniques to extract and structure information for the user model. Diverse adaptation techniques have been implemented for the specific user needs modelled.
Improvement of the Mouthpiece Type Remote Controller for the Integrated Tongue Operation Assistive System “I-to-AS”
Authors: Terashima Shojiro George  , Sakai Jun-ich  , Ohira Takahiro  , Murakami Hajime  , Satoh Eiichi  , Matsuzawa Chiyuki
Published: February 2025

To control assistive devices to be used by seriously disabled people, we have focused on tongue motion. We have tried to develop an Integrated Tongue Operation Assist System (“I-to-AS”) to control a PWC and a PC as an AAC device. In this study we developed a stick type mouthpiece remote controller as a new type of the remote controller. This controller has a 4-directional tact switch and a push switch. To investigate the operativeness of the “I-to-AS” with the stick type mouthpiece remote controller, eight able-bodied candidates drove a PWC on the same course. Each candidate operated the PWC using the stick type mouthpiece remote controller by “Tongue” and by “Fingers”. The average driving times were compared and the difference between using the tongue and fingers was about 25% which was considered acceptable. These suggest that the “I-to-AS” with the stick type mouthpiece remote controller would be effective and it has the potential to be used by seriously disabled people.
Tools for Technical, Business and Consumer Analyses: Expanding Need to Knowledge Model
Authors: Lane Joseph P.  , Flagg Jennifer A.  , Lockett Michelle M.  , Condron James
Published: February 2025

The Need to Knowledge Model is a static representation of the dynamic processes underlying the generation of technological innovations, involving three methodologies of scientific research, engineering development and industrial production. It is a framework through which government agencies and university faculty can plan, implement, manage and evaluation progress. Ensuring rigor and relevance requires much technical, marketing and consumer analyses, much of which falls outside the training and experience of academics and entrepreneurs. The paper describes the addition of nearly eighty analytic tools, chosen to represent the type of analyses required to optimize the probability of successfully reaching the marketplace and generating beneficial socioeconomic impacts.
Facilitators and Barriers to Participation Survey for People with Mobility Limitations: Italian Localisation of the FABS/M Instrument
Authors: Salatino Claudia  , Andrich Renzo
Published: February 2025

This article deals with the Italian localisation of the FABS/M [1] questionnaire, a new instrument measuring the effectiveness of mobility assistive technology devices. The FABS/M was developed in the United States within the framework of the ICF model. The questionnaire was translated into Italian and the resulting text was submitted to a panel of 6 experts including physiotherapists and biomedical engineers. After revision the questionnaire was field-tested by administering it to a cohort of 22 users of three types of assistive devices. The resulting questionnaire proved to be understandable and usable in the Italian context. The instrument showed to be suitable to assess environmental facilitators and barriers, helping to understand which items obstacle participation of individuals with lower limb mobility impairments and limitations in each one's real life situations. Information about obstacles and facilitators to participation can be used to improve measures and regulations concerning buildings, public places, transportation and personal attitude toward individuals with disability. While these improvements are made, adaptations of the assistive technologies service delivery system can be carried out to compensate for the gap.
Semi-automated Video-based In-home Fall Risk Assessment
Authors: Baldewijns Greet  , Debard Glen  , Mertens Marc  , Devriendt Els  , Milisen Koen  , Tournoy Jos  , Croonenborghs Tom  , Vanrumste Bart
Published: February 2025

The development of an in-home fall risk assessment tool is under investigation. Several fall risk screening tests such as the Timed-Get-Up-and-Go-test (TGUG) only provide a snapshot taken at a given time and place, where automated in-home fall risk assessment tools can assess the fall risk of a person on a continuous basis. During this study we monitored four older people in their own home for a period of three months and automatically assessed fall risk parameters. We selected a subset of fixed walking sequences from the resulting real-life video for analysis of the time needed to perform these sequences. The results show a significant diurnal and health-related variance in the time needed to cross the same distance. These results also suggest that trends in the transfer time can be detected with the presented system.
“Mole Hunter” Math Game for Little Kids and Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Sik Lanyi Cecilia  , Kollar Szilvia  , Paxian Szilvia
Published: February 2025

Today we cannot believe our lives without computers. Even children become acquainted with computers in kindergarten, however, it matters a lot which web pages or computer games do they use. The aim of the investigation was to create an ability developing game for little kids and for students with intellectual disabilities, with which they can practice the first steps of mathematics with a playful method.
A Virtual Hearing-Impaired Listener (VHL)
Authors: Rahimzadeh Amir  , Bothe Hans-Heinrich
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a biologically-inspired algorithm that models any potential hearing loss given by binaural audiograms. It is used as a pre-processor for audio signals, enabling an otologically normal person, i.e. a person with normal hearing, to perceive sounds, music, or speech similar to a person with a sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), given by the respective auditory threshold function or audiogram. The pre-processing engine is used as a start-up to create virtual ‘test persons’ or virtual hearing-impaired (HI) listeners for initial field tests to improve the quality of hearing in modern digital hearing-aids (DHA). After a newly developed DSP algorithms for a DHA shows significant improvement in specific sound perception with the VHL, this algorithm will be tested by hearing-impaired persons. This paper also presents a set of prototype results employing the VHL in masking tests to detect auditory threshold functions in the Freiburg Number Test.
Using Remote Tele-Video Technology to Provide in-Home AT Assessment and Training to Mobility-Impaired Elders and Their Caregivers
Authors: Sanford Jon A.  , Griffiths Patricia C.
Published: February 2025

Relatively inexpensive remote tele-video technology offers a practical alternative to traditional in-home rehabilitation. This paper describes three studies of “hands-on” AT skills training delivered via in-home and remote tele-video technologies. Study 1 was a randomized clinical trial that demonstrated a significant change in self-efficacy (F=6.32, P=.015) in the intervention group that received a comprehensive intervention compared to a control group of mobility impaired adults, and secondarily that interventions delivered by remote tele-technology was as effective as on-site in the home. Study 2 was a pilot study of 32 caregivers (17 intervention) and (15 control) that adapted Study 1 protocols and methods to deliver an intervention targeting care dyads and to obtain data on preliminary effect sizes to power Study 3. In this study, intervention group was related to change in satisfaction with assistance skills for two of the four tasks, getting in and out of bed, (χ2= 6.9, p=.032) and toileting (χ2=7.7, p=.020). Study 3 will implement the Study 2 protocol as both in-home and tele-videoconferencing modalities. The study is expected to result in a more efficacious AT service delivery that will improve both caregiving and care recipient outcomes.
Integrative Implementation of Ambient Assisted Living Focused on Efficiency and Flexibility
Authors: Leonhardt S.  , Plorin D.  , Teich T.  , Müller E.
Published: February 2025

The society and health systems have to face new challenges due to the increasing proportion of older people in the total population. The demographic change leads to an increase of the imbalance between beneficiaries and providers. According to forecasts, the proportion of over 60 year olds especially in rural areas will grow up to 45 percent by 2025. Concepts must be developed especially for person with a low family support potential. These have to consider the individual health state and have to enable an independently, self-determined life. Furthermore, under the inclusion of the latest technologies, their daily life should be assisted by a system based environment (in the private and public sector) with the intention to preserve their mobility. Therefore, the main target of the service provider and the service recipient should allow the older people, despite their individual health restrictions, independence but also supported and medical controlled life in their familiar home environment. This ensures in a holistic and integrated way that the gap between the domestic private sphere and the healthcare system can be closed. The requirements of this conceptual gap lead to the subject of the research project A�LICE composed of the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau and Chemnitz University of Technology and will be presented in the paper.
Development of Power-Assisted Transport Wheelchair
Authors: Chi Wei-Kang  , Chang Tse-Yung  , Jheng Ying-Chun  , Tsai Mei-Wun  , Yu Chung-Huang
Published: February 2025

Wheelchairs are one of the most common mobility aids for people who are not able to walk independently, which may result from aging, neurological or orthopedic diseases, accidents, and so on. As the problem of population aging is getting worse, the wheelchair users are increasing. However, not every person can operate the wheelchair by himself or herself instead relying on their caregivers. Yet the wheelchairs nowadays do not fully meet the caregivers' needs, and may cause difficulties in some circumstances such as ramps and may also harm the caregivers. From this point of view, we have proposed a transport wheelchair with a new algorithm to predict the caregiver's intention and follow them automatically. In this project, we discussing about a transport wheelchair following a caregiver by using a microcontroller, a laser rangefinder, and motor drivers to operate.
Development of Breath Mouse Employing a Gas Flow Sensor: A Data Input Device for People with Severely Disablities
Authors: Kitayama Ichiro  , Nakagawa Hidoe
Published: February 2025

Breathing is a function that humans can voluntarily control, and thus is an effective means of operating devices such as PCs and ECS. Only the switch function, however, is currently used within a single device. First of all, we conducted experiments using a gas flow sensor, with the initial objective of investigating whether a multichannel control signal based on breath could be acquired. The results show that control that differentiates strong and weak exhalations allows more channels than the two “exhale” and “inhale” channels seen in conventional breath switches. Based on these results, we proposes and developed a new input device that utilizes breathing data from sensors, experimentally investigating the possibility of voluntarily controlling the output of a gas flow sensor through breath control. In addition, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of incorrect responses to breath direction and strength on operability and mouse cursor movement. The result showed almost no difference between the settings. This research has enabled the development of a device that further extends the functionality of conventional input devices for some people with disabilities.
A Low Cost Brain Computer Interface Platform for AAL Applications
Authors: Mora Niccolo'  , Bianchi Valentina  , De Munari Ilaria  , Ciampolini Paolo
Published: February 2025

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology can provide users lacking voluntary muscle control with an augmentative communication channel, based on the interpretation of his brain activity extracted, for example, from the EEG. In this paper, a low cost BCI development platform is presented; it consists in a customized EEG acquisition unit and a Matlab-based signal processing environment. An application example using SSVEP paradigm is discussed. BCI can be used in AAL applications, providing an alternative interaction scheme.
Ubiquitous Fall Detection and Activity Recognition System for Bathrooms
Authors: Rachuy Carsten  , Clemens Joachim  , Schill Kerstin
Published: February 2025

Falls are the most frequent external cause of death for older adults, where bathrooms are a particulary dangerous environment. We propose an autonomous, ubiquitous, low-cost fall detection system based on ultrasonic and piezoelectric sensors, which takes into account privacy concerns as well as bathroom-specific hazardous environmental influences to technology. The system was implemented and tested in a real-world scenario.
Difference in Road Surface Recognition by Disease and Grades of the Low Vision
Authors: Matsubara Kayoko  , Ito Shin-ichi  , Sato Katsuya  , Booka Masayuki  , Oku Hidehisa  , Fujisawa Shoichiro
Published: February 2025

In our previous studies, Lateral Bands that were placed in both side of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators, and the result of clinical testing of Lateral Bands indicated the effectiveness for the Low Vision to show walking way. However, it was also indicated that Lateral band could be seen as holes or ditches in specific condition of luminance contrast and illumination. In this paper, relation between visibility and miss-recognition was studied from the different point of view in date of the previous study. Influence both by the difference in visual impairment and by the difference in grades of disability was also studied. As the results, it was suggested that 30% of luminance contrast was the optimum value for both keeping visibility of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators with Lateral Bands and producing no miss-recognition.
A novel approach to hospital evacuation: the role of trained medical students
Authors: Mangini Marco  , Grossi Francesco
Published: February 2025

Hospitals have a symbolic, social and political value which contributes to build a community's sense of security and well-being. Despite this key role, many hospitals all over the world are located in moderate to high-risk areas and are vulnerable in case a disaster takes place. Hospital evacuation is a major concern and requires a large number of qualified personnel to intervene in a short time to transfer critical patients to safe areas. Medical students can provide an efficient solution to the problem. A group of medical students was trained through a dedicated disaster medicine course composed of three sessions (a medical, a psycho-social and a technical session). Students developed remarkable skills and became capable of cooperating with hospital personnel by applying basic rescue maneuvers during a hospital evacuation. Moreover, a mobile phone application was created in order to contact students quickly and provide them with information about the scenario in case an emergency occurs. A few drills were performed, too.
Emergency medical management at the Madrid train bombings
Authors: López-Carresi Alejandro
Published: February 2025

The terrorist train bombings in Madrid, Spain, on 11 March 2004 triggered a swift and massive medical response. This paper analyses the pre-hospital response to the attacks in order to gain insight into current trends in disaster management among Madrid's Emergency Medical Services (EMSs). Thus, the existing emergency planning framework is described, as well as the basic structures of the different EMSs. The attacks are briefly depicted before consideration is given to pre-hospital management. The issues encountered are attributable mainly to inappropriate planning rather than to mistakes in field-level decision-making. By contrast, many of the successes are attributable to individual initiatives by frontline medics who compensated for the lack of clear command by senior managers.
MOI Capacities in Dealing with Crisis
Authors: Stankovski Toni
Published: February 2025

For efficient dealing with crisis situations it is necessary to engage the whole potential of the society, especially the constituents included in the crisis management system. MOI's task, as essential factor in the system of crisis management, is to identify the most suitable methods and means which will make the dealing with crisis successful. MOI's role in dealing with crisis has inestimable importance within the crisis management system in both, the prevention part and in the part of the specific actions during dealing with crisis situations. For successful handling with such situations, every institution, as well as MOI, has to provide appropriate capacities, human resources and material-technical means which should be upgraded and developed continuously.
Development of Regional Capacities for Emergency Relief in the Spirit of Smart Defence Initiative
Authors: Katic Milica
Published: February 2025

Mrs. Milica Katic gave introduction about the Balkan Institute and their work. She provided definition of disasters and emergencies, and arguments the Balkan and its perspectives.
Development of Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) Bulgarian Contribution to NATO Smart Defence
Authors: Stoykov Mitko
Published: February 2025

Prof. Mitko Stoykov in his presentation put the focus on the Bulgarian contribution to NATO Smart Defense and the NATO Center of Excellence – Crisis Management for Disaster Response. He explained the background, focal points and the objectives of the Smart Defense concept. After that he gave three key points how to do the Smart Defense: cooperation, coordination and the communication. Prof. Stoykov in his presentation defined the NATO Centers of Excellence and their functioning. Further he explained the structure of the Crisis Management for Disaster Response Center of Excellence and its operational platforms.
Use of Cyberspace and Technology by Terrorists
Authors: Koltuksuz Ahmet
Published: February 2025

Terrorists are increasingly finding the Internet, or cyberspace, a valuable forum them to operate in. Not only can they use cyberspace to conduct attacks, they can also use it to find recruits, train recruits, raise money, organize activities, and publicize the results. Although some of this activity is legal, it still must be monitored to be able to prevent cyberterrorism.
The IED Threat and Its Relevance to Technological Development
Authors: Uzer F. Bora
Published: February 2025

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are well-known for their use in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan but are also becoming popular with terrorists. Simple to make and generally reliable, they are an effective terrorism. However, the IED is a weapons system consisting of a combination of people, processes and materiel. In countering IED (C-IED) operations, we need to fight against that system.
The Role of Information Technology in Responding to Terrorism
Authors: Staff
Published: February 2025

The use of cutting-edge information technologies has the ability to help us battle terrorists by assisting with identification, predictive analysis and prioritization processes. This article describes some of those applications.
The Role of the Commercial World in Defence against Terrorism
Authors: Tyrrell Patrick
Published: February 2025

The battle against terrorism depends upon maintaining a technological advantage. If we think of any effort being reliant upon a combination of technology, organization and people, Therefore, since technology is moving quickly, we need to have organizations and people evolve to handle the new technology. One way to do this is to focus on innovation in smaller companies – they are more reactive then larger defence firms. This article discusses a number of ways that NATO can better develop effective responses to terrorism.
Weaponization and Delivery Systems that Terrorists Use for Biological and Chemical Agents
Authors: Lukosi Eric  , Prelas Mark
Published: February 2025

Since the development of well-established chemical and biological warfare programs by state entities dating from World War I, there has been a growing concern that terrorists and terrorist organizations will start using these agents. The use of chemical and biological agents by terrorists has been documented to occur as far back as 1946; however, the total incidences are few and the successes of these attacks have been limited. Very few attempts have reached fruition and the efficacy of these attacks to cause fear and economic damage are generally not equal to the damage that could have been achieved with conventional weapons on a per unit cost analysis. However, dissemination of technological information and expertise has increased the threat of chemical and biological terrorism. In this text the generally well-known chemical and biological agents are reviewed along with the weaponization and delivery methods used by states. An overview of chemical and biological terrorism in the past century is also examined and used to extrapolate what could be expected from terrorists in the future. It is found that chemical and biological terrorism are likely to be a rare event and those that will occur should have limited success. However, state-funded terrorism, weapons supplied through criminal organizations, and competent lone wolves bent on world destruction are threats that may have the most significant impact in the future.
Using the BSP Model on Clouds
Authors: Cordeiro Daniel  , Goldman Alfredo  , Kraemer Alessandro  , Pereira Junior Francisco
Published: February 2025

Nowadays the concepts and infrastructures of Cloud Computing are becoming a standard for several applications. Scalability is not only a buzzword anymore, but is being used effectively. However, despite the economical advantages of virtualization and scalability, some factors as latency, bandwidth and processor sharing can be a problem for doing Parallel Computing on the Cloud.
Executing Multi-workflow simulations on a mixed grid/cloud infrastructure using the SHIWA and SCI-BUS Technology
Authors: Kacsuk Peter  , Terstyanszky Gabor  , Balasko Akos  , Karoczkai Krisztian  , Farkas Zoltan
Published: February 2025

Large simulations require the combination of many different applications. In many cases they are described as scientific workflows. In the recent years significant knowledge accumulated in the form of scientific workflows. This helps scientists to build even more complex simulations particularly, if they combine existing simulations with new ones and create multi-workflow simulations. The SHIWA project created the SHIWA Simulation Platform to help scientist sharing and combining workflows to build such complex multi-workflow simulations that also require the use of as many computing resources as possible. The mixed use of grid and cloud infrastructure can provide the necessary amount of resources that are needed to complete complex multi-workflow simulations in reasonable time. The SCI-BUS project has created the gateway technology that enables the mixed use of grid and cloud infrastructures. The current paper describes the SHIWA and SCI-BUS technology and how they can be used to run multi-workflow simulations on the mixed grid and cloud infrastructures.
Building Automatic Clouds with an Open-source and Deployable Platform-as-a-service
Authors: Petcu Dana
Published: February 2025

Cloud computing is making a new step towards the already old vision of utility computing of seamless delivery of computing, storage or networks as measurable consumables. However, completely automated processes are not yet in place, and human intervention is still required. This paper intends to provide a snapshot of the current status in the automated processes happening in the Cloud. Moreover, a special attention is given to a recent developed platform-as-a-service that was designed to be an open-source and deployable middleware: ensuring the portability of applications based on elastic components and consuming infrastructure services, it is a good example of the potential of automated procedures in a Cloud environment.
Building Secure and Transparent Inter-Cloud Infrastructure for Scientific Applications
Authors: Tanaka Yoshio  , Yamamoto Naotaka  , Takano Ryousei  , Ota Akihiko  , Papadopoulos Philip  , Williams Nadya  , Zheng Cindy  , Huang Weicheng  , Pan Yi-Lun  , Wu Chang-Hsing  , Yu Hsi-En  , Shiao J.H. Steven  , Ichikawa Kohei  , Tada Taiki  , Date Susumu  , Shimojo Shinji
Published: February 2025

On 11 March 2011 Japan suffered a major earthquake. The resulting tsunami caused great loss of life and devastated many buildings, industries, and information services. Similarly, recent flooding in Thailand resulted in the destruction of property and a disruption of services. Thus, it is prudent for information technology infrastructure and services providers to formulate and implement procedures for rapid disaster recovery of key services that become even more critical during catastrophic events. To aid in our understanding of how academic resource centers can positively respond to such events, we have prototyped, developed and deployed GEO (Global Earth Observation) Grid applications on a distributed infrastructure made up of physical clusters contributed by our international colleagues. On top of these clusters, each site was able to host virtual machines, using their choice of virtualization infrastructure. We were able to realize a secure and transparent Inter-Cloud infrastructure through automated translation of virtual machines (e.g., between different hypervisors) and network virtualization. Cloud interoperation enables sharing of virtual machine images by private and public Clouds, i.e. a virtual machine image could be shared by different VM hosting environments including OpenNebula, Rocks, and Amazon EC2. Insights gained through the preliminary experiments indicated the key issue for Inter-Cloud is how we could use technologies for network virtualization. We used OpenFlow for network virtualization to build a secure (isolated) network for Inter-Cloud.
Cloud Adoption Issues: Interoperability and Security
Authors: Getov Vladimir
Published: February 2025

The cloud computing paradigm emerged shortly after the introduction of the “invisible” grid concepts but it has taken only a few years for cloud computing to gain enormous momentum within industry and academia alike. However, providing adequate interoperability and security support by those complex distributed systems is of primary importance for the wide adoption of cloud computing by the end users. This paper gives an overview of the main cloud interoperability and security issues and challenges. Existing and proposed solutions are also presented with particular attention to the security as a service approach. Some of the available directions for future work are also discussed.
The K Computer and Beyond
Authors: Ajima Yuichiro  , Yoshida Toshio  , Shimizu Toshiyuki  , Sumimoto Shinji  , Yamanaka Eiji  , Aoki Masaki  , Shinjo Naoki  , Miura Kenichi
Published: February 2025

We describe the development and key characteristics of the “K computer” supercomputer system, which was developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu as part of an initiative led by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) from 2006–2012. We highlight the technologies used to create the K computer, which is a massively parallel supercomputer system with over 80,000 CPUs and eight cores per CPU. The balance of power consumption, reliability, and efficiency in application performance was the key consideration in the design. The K computer achieved the top performance in the TOP500 ranking in June 2011 (8.16 petaflop/s with 548,352 processor cores) and again in November 2011 (10.51 petaflop/s with 705,024 processor cores), thus breaking the 10 petaflop/s barrier for the first time in the world. The K computer is now operational at the Advanced Institute for Computational Science (AICS) in Kobe, Japan. We also describe the PRIMEHPC FX10, which utilizes enhanced technologies implemented in the K computer, and the future directions we intend to take.
ECT Simulation of Complex Narrow Cracks in Planar Multi-Layered Structures
Authors: Miorelli Roberto  , Reboud Christophe  , Lesselier Dominique  , Poulakis Nikolaos  , Theodoulidis Theodoros
Published: February 2025

A fast simulation tool of Eddy Current Testing (ECT) inspections, based on a Boundary Element Method (BEM), is proposed in this paper. Simulated signals consist of impedance variation of a coil due to multiple narrow cracks located in conductive planar multilayered structures (MLS). The cracks can have various shapes or orientations and can lie in any layer of the structure inspected. After a presentation of the method, validations results, consisting of comparison of simulated signals with experimental data and results obtained with finite element calculations, are presented. In all the problems tested, a very good accuracy and a very low computation time have been observed. Further perspective and conclusions of this work are detailed at the end of the paper.
Numerical Modelling of Eddy-Current Testing in Tubes with Non-Canonical Wall Profile Using Modal Description of the Sources
Authors: Skarlatos Anastassios  , Reboud Christophe
Published: February 2025

A modal decomposition of 3D current sources is introduced in the finite integration technique (FIT) discretisation scheme for the solution of eddy-current testing problems in rotationally symmetric work-pieces. The original 3D problem is reformulated in this way in calculating the vector magnetic potential profile on the ρ – z plane for a number of angular modes. The interest of such decomposition relies on the simpler and conformal discretisation of the work-piece, the reduction of the numerical noise, as well as the smaller size of the linear system, which allows the simultaneous treatment of different probe positions.
High Lift-Off Stress Measurement Using Electromagnetic Acoustic Resonance
Authors: Freitas Miguel  , Jimenez Marcelo Roberto  , von Der Weid Jean Pierre
Published: February 2025

This work presents practical results from a high lift-off stress measurement application on SAE 1060 steel using the Electromagnetic Acoustic Resonance (EMAR) technique. Resonance peak attenuation values were obtained for lift-offs up to 9.45 mm. A curve of the system's performance regarding lift-off variation is presented. Other sources of attenuation are discussed as well. Mechanical sources of attenuation, e.g., due to bonded materials, may affect the performance in a way that is indistinguishable from the magnetic coupling losses, thus reducing the maximum attainable lift-off.
Time Series Data Mining in Eddy Current Nondestructive Evaluation; Application to Nuclear Fuel Cladding Examination
Authors: Fava Javier  , Cosarisnky Guillermo  , Ruch Marta  , Savin Adriana  , Grimberg Raimond
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes the use of specific procedures of data mining for detection of possible events corresponding to defects in nuclear fuel cladding. This is possible because eddy current testing equipment provide results as temporal series. In order to classify and estimate the events corresponding to defects, a neuro-fuzzy system is involved. The probabilities of correct classification are relatively high, making the classification and evaluation to be rigorous enough.
Advances in Electromagnetic NDE Techniques for Materials Evaluation
Authors: Jayakumar T.  , Rao B. Purnachandra  , Thirunavukkarasu S.  , Singh W. Sharatchandra  , Mahadevan S.  , Sasi B.
Published: February 2025

Electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation techniques continue to grow with contemporary advances in numerical modeling, sensing technologies, automation, signal and image processing and methodologies for characterization of defects, microstructures and stresses. This has significantly enhanced the scope and application of electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for evaluation of engineering components and materials. This paper discusses some of the recent advances in electromagnetic NDE techniques with case studies for enhanced evaluation of materials through numerical modeling, sensor array development and improved image fusion and inversion methodologies.
Real-Time Monitoring of Crack Growth Behaviour During Impact and Compact Tension Test with Non-Destructive Testing
Authors: Szielasko Klaus  , Tschuncky Ralf  , Altpeter Iris  , Dobmann Gerd  , Boller Christian
Published: February 2025

The basic-safety-principle concerning components in German nuclear power plants (NPP) requires a high material quality in terms of characteristic toughness values. For this purpose, at present, notched-bar impact tests are carried out for example for the determination of the brittle fracture transition temperature. Compact tension tests are performed to determine mechanical and technological characteristics such as the fracture toughness, crack initiation, the crack growth. Because of the scattering in the data, the quantification of the failure behavior in the transition zone of the toughness is only possible with restrictions. Therefore considerably high safety margins are asked for in the design to avoid failure behavior. So far, the crack growth can only be determined in standardized bending tests and requires partial load relief cycles observing the development of the crack opening displacement by a clip-gauge. The time of the crack initiation can be determined with additional time-consuming microscopic analyses of the crack surface after the bending test. The additional instrumentation of the mentioned tests with NDT should provide further information about the failure process and a more precise and reliable determination of the failure probability. In order to document the principle feasibility, three point bending tests and drop impact tests were carried out using SE(B) samples with several nondestructive sensors applied. These sensors are Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMATs) to record the ultrasonic time of flight (TOF) of an ultrasonic wave travelling around the crack, and Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors to measure magnetic flux leakage (MFL) signals emanating from the crack. It was shown that both TOF and the MFL provide information about the crack growth during the bending test. In particular, the TOF was shown to increase with the crack length, thus allowing the determination of the crack length without the partial load relief cycles that were needed before. During the drop impact tests, the high-speed acquisition of MFL signals resolved details of the crack formation process.
Hysteresis Characteristic and Repeat Accuracy of Magnetic Type Tactile Sensor
Authors: Nakamoto Hiroyuki  , Takenawa Satoru
Published: February 2025

Tactile sense is an essential sense in our daily lives, and we usually operate or sense objects using our tactile sense. Recently, many touch devices are being produced. They are so intuitive and easy to use that we use them on smartphones or tablet PCs. This is associated with an expectation that combinations of tactile sensor and display can contribute to various applications. Therefore, we are studying a magnetic type tactile sensor which has a simple and tough structure. The feature of the sensor is a softness of touch area. The sensor measures three-axis displacement generated on the surface. In this paper, we describe the details of the structure and show the prototype sensor. The hysteresis characteristic and the repeat accuracy are shown through the laboratory experiment. We verify that the sensor has low-error in measuring displacement.