bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local bounds for general Bell inequalities with the reduced entropy of the settings
Authors: Pawłowski Marcin  , Horodecki Karol  , Horodecki Paweł  , Horodecki Ryszard
Published: February 2025

We derive the local bounds for all possible linear Bell inequalities with the reduced entropy of the settings. Such bounds are important for analysis of experiments that involve sources with non identical independent distribution or resort to postselection. Since the entropy reduction can be considered as an information leakage from laboratories, our results have also nontrivial implications for quantum cryptography.
On practical implementations of qudit-based quantum key distribution protocols
Authors: Straupe Stanislav  , Kulik Sergey P.
Published: February 2025

We review the current state of research in qudit-based quantum key distribution with an emphasis on experimental techniques used for state preparation and measurements. The question of practical usefulness of this schemes and of qudit-based QKD in general is addressed.
Development of an Ultrasonic Monitoring System using EMAT and Wireless Communication
Authors: Takagi Toshiyuki  , Uchimoto Tetsuya  , Ichihara Toshiaki  , Yashima Kazumi  , Abe Toshihiko
Published: February 2025

The aim of this research is to make a high performance EMAT, highly sensitive, with low electric power consumption and wireless data communication. For this purpose, we introduced the following new devices and techniques into the EMAT: 1) A high efficiency power supply circuit to generate a strong oscillating magnetic field in the excitation coil, and 2) Effective use of high quality noise reduction to increase S/N ratio of the received signal. This EMAT system detects fatigue cracks in thick austenitic stainless steel 316L specimens by angle beam inspection as well as detecting EDM slits by the normal beam method.
Characterizing and Modeling Ferrite-Core Probes
Authors: Sabbagh Harold A.  , Murphy R. Kim  , Sabbagh Elias H.  , Aldrin John C.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we accurately and carefully characterize a ferrite-core probe that is widely used for aircraft inspections. The characterization starts with the development of a model that can be executed using the proprietary volume-integral code, VIC-3D©, and then the model is fitted to measured multifrequency impedance data taken with the probe in freespace and over samples of a titanium alloy and aluminum. Excellent results are achieved and will be discussed.
Eddy Current Inspection of Steam Generator Tubes Near Support Plates with Trefoil and Quatrefoil-Shaped Holes: A Hybrid Volume Integral – Finite Elements Approach
Authors: Skarlatos Anastassios  , Gilles-Pascaud Catherine  , Pichenot Grégoire  , Cattiaux Gérard  , Sollier Thierry
Published: February 2025

The numerical modeling of the eddy current inspection of Steam Generator (SG) tubes near Tube Support Plates (TSP) with Quatrefoil-shaped openings is examined. The modeling approach, developed in the CIVA platform, is based on a hybridization of the Volume Integral Method (VIM) with the Finite Elements Method (FEM). In this way, the complexity of the tube – TSP is resolved using the FEM whereas the flaw interaction can be efficiently calculated by means of the VIM. Material deposit in the TSP openings, responsible for clogging up effects, can be also taken into account with this approach and will be considered in a next stage.
Single Sided, Segmented Field Dielectrometry and Dielectric Spectroscopy
Authors: Sheiretov Yanko  , Washabaugh Andrew  , Schlicker Darrell  , Lyons Robert  , Goldfine Neil
Published: February 2025

The Interdigitated Electrode Dielectrometer (IDED™) is suitable for measurements on insulating or slightly conducting dielectric materials. The JENTEK team is now developing solutions for several practical applications:
Proteomics and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Kozarić-Kovaˇić Dragica  , Pavelić Krešimir  , Filipac Vanda  , Cindrić Mario  , Vuˇinić Srđan  , Kraljević-Pavelić Sandra
Published: February 2025

Proteomics is a branch of biological sciences concerned with proteome research. Proteome studying involves structural and interaction analysis of proteins on a large scale, especially their position and function. As protein expression is the mediator of genetic vulnerability, proteomics is enabling research into etiology of psychiatric disorders through discovery of potential biomarkers. They can be found by comparing qualitative and quantitative protein expression data from healthy and diseased individuals using the technique of differential display. Biomarkers could fill the gaps in the extremely complex diagnostics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and potentially show the direction for further development of pharmacotherapy. Previous studies have shown qualitative and quantitative changes in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral tissue proteins in many neurodegenerative and some psychiatric disorders. In this pilot study our aim was to show differential display of the proteomic profiles from the serum of three patients with combat-related PTSD as compared to three healthy controls. Chosen participants with PTSD were of similar age, had similar traumatic experiences and were on similar medications, with no psychiatric comorbidities. Large-scale proteomic approach and mass spectrometry with the use of human proteomic databases were employed as identification tool for discovering the differences between serum proteomic profile in PTSD and healthy controls. In this pilot study we found 122 qualitatively different proteins and more than 22 quantitative differences between individuals with PTSD and healthy controls. These results indicated direction for a larger analysis of this type in people with PTSD. Selected group of proteins found in differential display of the 2D gels will be used for identification of biomarkers in further studies. This pilot study offers a good basis for further proteomic research, which could help in better diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, as well as clarification of its etiology.
Real-Time Remote Sensing in Support of Ecosystem Services and Sustainability
Authors: Rochon Gilbert L.  , Biehl Larry  , Fall Souleymane  , Grant Darion  , Thiam Thierno  , Araya Bereket  , Mbongo Bertin Hilaire  , Jung Jinha  , Ghani Sohaib  , Wahab Madgy Abdel  , El Afandi Gamal Salah  , Altay Gülay  , Ersoy Okan  , Valcarcel Angel Torres  , Gonzalez Cesar Javier
Published: February 2025

The authors present the evolution and current state-of-the-science, with respect to satellite remote sensing and its diverse applications to ecosystems services and ecosystems sustainability. Ecosystems and the services they provide to humanity are continuously threatened by biogenic and anthropogenic impacts. Remote sensing is but one array of tools, in combination with in situ sensing, laboratory analysis, and computer-based modeling techniques, that can serve to elucidate the spatial, temporal, and spectral characteristics of lacustrine, riverine, palustrine, and oceanic water resources, vegetation (e.g., agriculture, forests, rangeland), urban environments, as well as habitats both for benign species and for infectious disease vectors. The authors also address the role of real-time satellite remote sensing for time-critical ecological challenges and offer developing exemplars, such as the NATO Science for Peace supported Kamal Ewida Earth Observatory in Egypt, the Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI) in Turkey, and the Purdue Terrestrial Observatory in the Midwest United States, as well as grassroots comprehensive approaches to environmental sustainability, such as COSUAM de Puerto Rico.
Evolution of Ecosystem Management for Stewardship of U.S. Military Lands
Authors: Lillie Thomas H.  , Fittipaldi John J.
Published: February 2025

The U.S. military is entrusted with stewardship of a diversity of natural resources on over 30 million acres throughout the United States. Beginning in 1960 with passage of the Sikes Act, the military established natural resources management programs based on multiple use and sustained yield. Protection of single species regulated under the Endangered Species Act grew more important in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1990s, military policy makers and field personnel recognized a need to adopt a new management approach. Ecosystem management was adopted as a process for making, implementing, and evaluating decisions affecting the management of natural resources. This approach was implemented with new policy directives, partnering with government and nongovernment agencies, and an emphasis on biodiversity conservation. The ecosystem approach ensures the sustainability of natural resources and supports the Army’s triple bottom line: mission, environment, and community. This paper traces the history of conservation stewardship in the military and the evolution of ecosystem management on military lands. The approach could serve as the basis of a nascent ecosystem services methodology.
One Method for Magnetic Multilayer Systems Determination
Authors: Raicevic Nebojsa  , Aleksic Slavoljub
Published: February 2025

Magnetic field distribution is determined by applying Equivalent Currents Method (ECM). The Green's function for magnetic vector potential of the infinite linear conductor with steady current, placed in free space, on the boundary of two magnetic materials, is used. In this paper, the authors applied a technique based on substituting Ampere's microscopic currents with total currents. Due to combination of numerical and analytical determination, this is a hybrid method. Together with Equivalent Electrode Method (EEM), this method can be applied for magnetic field calculations of systems with both metal electrodes and many different homogenous magnetic materials.
Evaluation of the Perturbation Method for Iterative Calculations in 2D Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Daussy Benoît  , Laval Damien  , Benabou Abdelkader  , Tounzi Abdelmounaïm
Published: February 2025

The perturbation method is a simple way to study local details while avoiding a fine mesh of the whole system. In this paper, we present the influence of the extracted region size, i.e. the region including the perturbation, when performing iterative calculations with the perturbation technique. This influence is illustrated using a simple example.
The Rescaling Method for Temperature Estimation of End Regions of Stator Core of Large Turbogenerators
Authors: Drzymala Pawel  , Komeza Krzysztof  , Lefik Marcin  , Welfle Henryk  , Wiak Sławomir
Published: February 2025

In the paper a simulation of the stator end region using an axisymmetrical structure and the finite element methods was presented. The results allowed quick investigation of influence of different machine parameters and dimension, on core end packets, pressing fingers and clamping plate losses. The influence of the conductivity of clamping plate on inside losses was shown in the paper. Thermal coefficients were also calculated and based on scale law for temperature the temperature rice method estimation was establish.
Facing Dynamic Hysteresis Models for Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Mazauric Vincent  , Drouineau Mathilde  , Rondot Loïc  , Vincent Jean-Noël
Published: February 2025

A new approach to face the problem of dynamic hysteresis and assess extra-losses in soft magnetic materials is investigated. Thanks to a spatial averaging technique and a variational principle, a dedicated formulation is derived. It takes into account microscopic magnetization mechanisms and domain wall motion-induced Joule losses. A validation is proposed by assessing losses on a 2D-Pry and Bean iron sheet. Discussion includes also a confrontation with the delayed diffusion model and Bertotti's experiments.
Fault Analysis of 3-Phase Cage Induction Motor Based on Winding Function Theory
Authors: Woo Kyungil  , Joo Daesuk
Published: February 2025

This paper studies on the fault analysis of 3-phase squirrel-cage induction motor with the rotor static eccentricity, the broken rotor bars, and the mixed fault at steady state. A mathematical fault model is presented by the coupled magnetic circuit approach. The Calculation of winding inductances is derived by means of a winding function theory. The concentrated winding type and the uniformly distributed winding type are used to taken into account the stator slot width effect. It is known that the calculation results of inductances of the concentrated type and the uniformly distributed type are almost similar. From the simulation results it is shown that there is its own peculiar frequency component obtained by the spectrum analysis of the stator current in the case of a single fault. But in the case of mixed fault, there is a mutual effect between two faults. From the comparison with FEM results, it is shown that the proposed approach can be simulated to diagnose faults in 3-phase squirrel-cage induction motor.
Studies on the Performance of Permanent Magnet Transverse Flux Motors with a Particular Rotor Topology
Authors: Strete Larisa  , Viorel Ioan-Adrian  , Boldea Ion
Published: February 2025

The present paper introduces yet another rotor PM flux concentration topology for the permanent magnet transverse flux synchronous motors (PMTFM) and investigates, through 3D-FEM its torque density improvement by geometry variations and a few inter-polar fringing flux reduction measures.
Modelling and Design of a Synchronous Permanent Magnets Machine
Authors: Belli Boulassel Zoubida  , Mekideche Mohamed Rachid
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to study some geometrical and physical parameters witch have significant effects on the magnetic induction in the air gap of a synchronous permanent magnets machine in no load case. The device is modelled by 2D finite elements model. Two parameters are studied. The first one is the radiuses of the permanent magnets. In order to determine the best ones, optimization process based on genetic algorithm and simulated annealing method is used. The second parameter is the magnetic permeability of the semi-closed slot's wedge.
A Numerical Model for Predicting Ozone Generation Rate by Electric Corona Discharge
Authors: Zhang Jiacheng  , Adamiak Kazimierz
Published: February 2025

The paper presents a numerical algorithm for simulating the negative corona discharge in pure oxygen in point-plane configuration. A simplified model is analyzed, which includes five different ionic species and nine ionic reactions. The electric field, governed by the Poisson equation, is solved using the Finite Element Method. Concentrations of all species have to satisfy the charge conservation equations and are calculated using the Donor-Cell technique. Presented results show spatial distribution of all species for different values of a DC voltage supplied to the corona electrode.
Validation of a 3D Decoupled Magneto Dynamic – Electric Model by Determining the Impedance of Micro Coils
Authors: Pham Quang P.  , Guérin C.  , Meunier G.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a model for calculating a posteriori electric field in non-conducting regions in steady state AC magnetic application. The computation method we have used is the finite element method in 3 dimensions. The approach is validated by calculating the equivalent impedance of a coil on which the resolution of the full Maxwell's equations can be performed.
Comparison of Exact and Image Formulation of the Electric Field Due to Hertz Dipole in Two-Layer Soil
Authors: Arnautovski-Toševa Vesna  , Grčev Leonid  , El Khamlichi Drissi Khalil
Published: February 2025

An important engineering problem is the electromagnetic behavior of thin-wire objects within stratified conductive medium. Such analysis is generally done according to the moment method approach on the basis of the electric field of an elementary Hertz dipole source. Here, it might be distinguished two formulations for the Green's functions with respect to the frequency range: low frequency image approximation, and high frequency exact Sommerfeld representation. In this paper we will present the comparison of both formulations and their applicability with respect to required frequency range.
Frequency Dependent Parametric Models for Transmission Line Structures
Authors: Ciuprina Gabriela  , Stefanescu Alexandra  , Ioan Daniel
Published: February 2025

This paper describes specialized techniques to extract parametric models for long interconnects, modeled as transmission lines. An important step in the modeling is the extraction of the per unit length parameters. The novelty of the study is the parameterization with respect both to the geometric parameters and the frequency. The parameterization with respect to the geometry is based on the computation of first order sensitivities from electromagnetic field models, whereas the influence of the frequency is approximated by rational polynomials obtained by fitting. The approach proposed is validated by experiments.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Current Monitoring in Asynchronous Electrical Machines Using Simplified Higher-Order Statistics
Authors: Djeddi Mounir  , Benidir Messaoud  , Djeddi Mabrouk  , Chetate Boukhemis
Published: February 2025

Abstract goes here.In this paper, we propose a simplified and efficient method for the detection of bearing faults in asynchronous electrical machines based on the monitoring of the currents. This method is based on second and higher order statistics. This approach is validated on synthetic and real data; the obtained results show that the method discriminate efficiently between healthy and faulty machines.
Multiphysics Method for Determination of the Stator Winding Temperature in an Electrical Machine
Authors: Kolondzovski Zlatko
Published: February 2025

An advanced method for determination of the temperature of the stator winding in a high-speed electrical machine is presented. The implemented method is a numerical-multiphysics method that couples computational fluid dynamics and heat-transfer equations. The geometry of the fluid domain of the machine is considered to be 2D axi-symmetric and the stator is modelled in 3D geometry. The properties of the turbulent flow are obtained from the 2D model and they are implemented as boundary conditions in the 3D model. The method presented in this paper is successfully validated with measurements.
A New Approach to the Determination of Solid Materials Complex Permittivity
Authors: Faktorová Dagmar
Published: February 2025

The paper gives a description how to find out the material complex permittivity when it is unknown at all and when the uncertainty appears particularly at some industrial products containing several ingredients. Very simple and well – known theoretical formulae are used for unambiguous determination at the complex permittivity calculation. Experimental results are presented, too.
Optimized Testing Procedure for Electrical Impedance Tomography
Authors: Caminiti Ida M.V.  , Ferraioli Fabrizio  , Formisano Alessandro  , Martone Raffaele
Published: February 2025

In Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), the internal conductivity map of a volume is investigated by measuring voltages among electrodes placed on the surface of the object, induced by exciting a set of electrodes in a series of successive experiments. In the paper, the optimal selection of electrodes location and of the excitation strategy is faced with by maximizing the difference of voltages measured for different conductivity maps. Different optimization criteria for the electrodes system are considered in the case of internal volumes which result partially accessible.
Methods for Interactive Exploration of Large-Scale News Streams
Authors: Keim Daniel A.  , Krstajić Miloš  , Bak Peter  , Oelke Daniela  , Mansmann Florian
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a visual analytics approach to exploring large news articles collection in the domains of polarity, spatial and entity analysis. The exploration is performed on the data collected with Europe Media Monitor (EMM), a system which monitors over 2,500 online sources and processes 90,000 articles per day. In the analysis of the news feeds, we want to find out which topics are important in different countries, what is the general polarity of the articles within these topics and how the quantitative evolution of entities that are mentioned in the news, such as persons and organizations, developed over time. To assess the polarity of a news article, automatic techniques for polarity analysis are employed and the results are represented using Literature Fingerprinting for visualization. In the spatial description of the news feeds, every article can be represented by two geographic attributes, news origin and the location of the event itself. In order to assess these spatial properties of news articles, we conducted our analysis, which is able to cope with size and spatial distribution of the data. To demonstrate the use of our system, we also present case studies that show a) temporal analysis of entities, and b) analysis of their co-occurrence in news articles. Within this application framework, we show opportunities how real-time news feed data can be efficiently analyzed.
Developing a Comprehensive Safety and Security Plan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline
Authors: Hnatio John
Published: February 2025

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline (BTC) is 1,800 kilometers long and carries approximately 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. With about 1.3% of global production, the pipeline is extremely important for Western energy security and for the economies of the countries through which it passes. This paper examines the safeguards and security challenges facing the pipeline and underlines the requirements for a comprehensive safety and security plan to prevent and mitigate supply disruptions. The paper argues that a comprehensive pipeline safety and security plan has the added benefit of promoting Black Sea/Caucasus regional cooperation and stability.
Mayordomo: Ambient Intelligence in a Home Environment
Authors: Espejo Gonzalo  , Ábalos Nieves  , López-Cózar Ramón  , Callejas Zoraida  , Griol David
Published: February 2025

This paper presents our current work in the design of a multimodal dialogue system for an Ambient Intelligence application in the home environment. The aim of the system is to facilitate users interaction with home appliances, either by voice or using a classical GUI interface. The paper describes the most relevant aspects of the system's operation, which is based on the use of an abstract data structure called ‘action’. It also explains how the system generates responses according to user requests, for example, switching off a light in a room.
Movement Recognition with Intelligent Multisensor Analysis, a Lexical Approach
Authors: Pinardi Stefano  , Bisiani Roberto
Published: February 2025

The analysis of movements using inertial sensors represents an interesting alternative to video cameras, or other instrumentation used in posture analysis (treadmills, force plates, pressure plates, EMG). Inertial-sensor based analysis has been shown to be useful to classify Activities of Daily Living for situation assessment, healthcare applications, or to understand human emotions from body posture. We classify movements using a “lexical-like” approach. We use a vector representation of movements using a technique able to extract a great number of generic features, and a methods of classification, inspired by text mining, and machine learning techniques with some modifications, that transform our vector space from the feature-value space into a feature-frequency space. We used this method to classify a set of 21 movements performed by 13 people with good recognition results. Then we tested our method on the public WARD 1.0 database outperforming the results presented in literature on that database. The method we describe also shows to be technologically independent and semantically scalable, uses fast algorithms and appears to be suitable for every practical application where runtime movement analysis with big dictionaries could be a key factor.
Brain Machines
Authors: Johnson Brian David
Published: February 2025

This story is a Science fiction (SF) prototype and serves as an example application of the process of Science Fiction (SF) prototyping as a design tool. This story should be read in conjunction with Science Fiction for Scientists!! An Introduction to SF Prototypes and Brain Machines (also included with this edition). A brief epiloge follows the story, explaining the implications and results of the story on the original research upon which it was based, giving the scientists an innovative tool to continue their development. Illustrations by WinkStink.
Tales From a Pod
Authors: Callaghan Vic
Published: February 2025

In this Science-Fiction Prototyping article, I present an imaginative forward look at how artificial intelligence and virtual environments might change the nature of future education. The discussion is intended to be a somewhat speculative and thought provoking journey into what may be possible. At its root, it imagines a future time when the technological singularity has been reached, and machine intelligence and interaction is equal or surpasses that of people. I do this by means of a fictional reflection on how life might be in the future, a set of four small vignettes and a discussion of the factual research inspiring these views.
We all wear dark glasses now
Authors: Clarke Graham  , Lear Malcolm
Published: February 2025

The story describes a world of the future in which there are two entirely different groups of people, one involved in the development and reproduction of the industrial base of the country and ruled by a centrally controlled virtual reality that is subject to constant innovation through a totally controlling fashion machine. The ruling group who control and maintain the other group have access to the full richness of the technology they administer and use to keep the world in order and are free to experience reality in an entirely different way. This is about the way that a breakdown in the system is dealt with and is told from the perspective of a third party observing these two groups
Knowing Yourself
Authors: Kovalchuk Yevgeniya
Published: February 2025

The paper discusses the concept of energy, its transformation, and transmission. Any physical object, event, word, sound, thought or even money is seen as a bundle of energy. This is a fictional story suggesting direction of technological/scientific development in the future.
Acquisition and Evaluation of a Dialog Corpus by means of Real and Simulated Users
Authors: Griol D.  , Callejas Z.  , López-Cózar R.  , Espejo G.  , Ábalos N.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present the results of the comparison between three corpora acquired by means of different techniques. The first corpus was acquired with real users. A statistical user simulation technique has been developed for the acquisition of the second corpus. In this technique, the next user answer is selected by means of a classification process that takes into account the previous user turns, the last system answer and the objective of the dialog. Finally, a dialog simulation technique has been developed for the acquisition of the third corpus. This technique uses a random selection of the user and system turns, defining stop conditions for automatically deciding if the simulated dialog is successful or not. We use several evaluation measures proposed in previous research to compare between our three acquired corpora, and then discuss the similarities and differences with regard to these measures.
Spoken Dialog System on Plasma Display Panel Estimating Users' Interest by Image Processing
Authors: Kayama Kentaro  , Kobayashi Akihiro  , Mizukami Etsuo  , Misu Teruhisa  , Kashioka Hideki  , Kawai Hisashi  , Nakamura Satoshi
Published: February 2025

We have been developing a proactive spoken dialog system on a plasma display panel (PDP). “Proactive dialog system” referes to a system with the added functionality of actively presenting acceptable information in acceptable timing. The proposed system is based on spoken dialog. It can detect non-verbal information, such as changes in gaze and face direction and head gestures of the user during dialog, and recommend suitable information. We implemented a dialog scenario to present sightseeing information on the system. Experiments with 100 subjects were held to evaluate the system's efficiency. The system grows particularly clear when dialog contains recommendations.
Using Ambient Intelligence Information in a Multimodal Dialogue System
Authors: López-Cózar Ramón  , Ábalos Nieves  , Espejo Gonzalo  , Griol David  , Callejas Zoraida
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a multimodal dialogue system under development in our lab which has been designed to assist students and professors in some of their daily activities within the Faculty of a University. The system combines features of multimodal dialogue systems and Ambient Intelligence. The paper focuses on the system's architecture, which is based on XHTML+Voice. It explains the speech- and GUI-based interfaces, and discusses the connection of both. Then it explains the system usage, shows a sample interaction and discusses the identification and localization of users within the Faculty. Finally, it presents the conclusions and outlines possibilities for future work.
Multigenerational Effects of Chronic Ionizing Radiation in Natural Populations of Model Mouse-Like Rodents Living in Accidently Radiocontaminated Areas
Authors: Ryabokon Nadezhda
Published: February 2025

Assessment of remote genetic risks of chronic exposure to ionizing radiation should contain information about the spontaneous levels of genetic end-points, doubling doses and time-course of these end-points in chronically irradiated, randomly mating populations of model species. In our previous studies, we have described the time-course of different end-points (chromosome aberrations, embryonic lethality and abnormal sperm heads) in natural populations of a model mouse-like species, the bank vole, living in radiocontaminated areas over 22 animal generations within 10 years following the Chernobyl accident. The results of further studies showed that there are signs of multiple processes occurring simultaneously in chronically irradiated populations: (i) the “direct” response of each investigated animal to its individual irradiation, (ii) the transgenerational transmission and accumulation of radiation-induced damages, and (iii) development of radioadaptive effects. These data are congruent with population genetic theories, namely, the equilibrium theory postulated about balance between the accumulated mutation load and elimination of mutations through natural selection in large, randomly mating populations. This paper briefly summarises the results obtained by our research team, as well as literature data on the time-course of genetic effects, which can be regarded as a part of microevolutionary processes occurring in natural populations of model mouse-like species inhabiting areas with radiation contamination. The possible influence of the observed multigenerational processes (transgenerational accumulation of radiation-induced damages and development of radioadaptive effects) on dose response and risk assessment in the remote generations under chronic exposure to ionizing radiation is also discussed.
Mathematical Modelling of Radiation Changes in the Ozone Layer
Authors: Barseghyan Artak R.
Published: February 2025

The questions addressing the nature of atmospheric ozone, the chemicals that cause ozone depletion, and what could lie ahead for the ozone layer are discussed. The role of the ozone layer to prevent from the Sun’s UV radiation is discussed. A detailed research program package of problems for mathematical simulation of ozone kinetics is developed. A wide variety of integration methods for systems of differential equations is involved. Methods can compare calculation results or can be checked manually to increase solution speed for complex systems of differential equations.
Monitoring Human Population Exposed to Radiation: Studies of Genetic Polymorphism and Expression of Minisatellite Mutations in Three Generations of Population Living in Vicinity to the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site
Authors: Bersimbaev Rakhmetkazhi I.
Published: February 2025

Previously we have reported that the human population located near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site exhibited significantly enhanced levels of minisatellite mutations (MM), indicating an increased germ-line mutation rates from the exposure in 3 generations. It was assumed that the MM may potentially be used as a biomarker for monitoring functional genetic alterations. In this study, the influence of polymorphisms in genes on the expression of MM in the same two populations, and their relationships with radiation exposure were studied. Three polymorphic DNA - repair genes (XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg399Glu, and XRCC3 Thr241Met) and two xenobiotic detoxification genes (GST and GSTM1) were selected for analyses. The functionally active XRCC1 Arg194Trp was significantly linked to low MM and over-represented in the exposed in comparison with the control populations. Both GSTT1 and GSTM1 nulls were significantly associated with increased MM.ere. The former was under-represented but the latter was significantly over-represented in the exposed in comparison with the control populations. In summary, the data indicates that the expected enzymatic functions of the polymorphic genes are consistent with the MM expression, except the XRCC1 Arg399Glu variant gene. Moreover, the variant genes were retained in the three generations in association with their useful function, except for the GSTM1 null.
Applying Data Mining Tools for Examining and Shaping Complex Societal Systems
Authors: Balogh Imre
Published: February 2025

This paper is reporting some illustrative research results concerning complex societal systems obtained by our Web Mining Group at the Department of Ergonomics and Psychology of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), also supported by the Information Management Department of the University of West Hungary (NYME). Our starting point is the remark of John D Sterman [1]: “Change is accelerating, and the complexity of the systems in which we live is growing. Increasingly change is the result of humanity itself. As complexity grows so do the unanticipated side effects of human action, further increasing complexity in a vicious cycle. Many scholars call for the development of ‘systems thinking’ to improve our ability to manage wisely. But how do people learn in and about complex dynamic systems? Learning is a feedback process in which our decisions alter the real world, we receive information feedback about the world, and using the new information we revise the decisions we make and the mental models that motivate those decisions.” Our main – both practical and theoretical – question is “how do people learn in and about complex dynamic systems?” Therefore we investigate the interaction between a human and his/her Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with the assistance of up-to-date sophisticated Web data mining tools – the SPSS MODELER and the SPSS TEXT ANALYTICS. Since Web mining can be described as an application of data mining under special circumstances, a definition of data mining is required first: “Data mining is also called Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD). It is commonly defined as the process of discovering useful patterns or knowledge from data sources, e.g. databases, texts, the Web, etc. The patterns must be valid, potentially useful and understandable. Data mining is a multi-disciplinary field involving machine learning, statistics, databases, artificial intelligence, information retrieval, and visualization” [2, p. 6]. A similar general definition applies to Web mining: “Web mining aims to discover useful information or knowledge from Web hyperlink structure, page content, and usage data” [2, p. 6]. According to this definition, different types of Web mining can be identified as: Web structure mining, Web content mining, and Web usage mining. Our examinations have exclusively dealt with Web usage mining so far. As far as the project’s Web mining aspects are concerned, we relied on the notions and procedure systems of the already mentioned excellent book [2]. In this paper Web usage mining is considered as a supportive tool in investigating complex societal systems.
The Future of NATO
Authors: Goldgeier James
Published: February 2025

If the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) did not exist today, the United States would not seek to create it. In 1949, it made sense in the face of a potential Soviet invasion to forge a bond in the North Atlantic area among the United States, Canada, and the west European states. Today, if the United States were starting from scratch in a world of transnational threats, the debate would be over whether to follow liberal and neoconservative calls for an alliance of democracies without regard to geography or to develop a great power concert envisioned by the realists to uphold the current order.
United States and Europe: an Unequal Partnership
Authors: Boxhoorn Bram
Published: February 2025

This article discusses three important aspects of NATO’s new Strategic Concept in a broader historical context of the transatlantic relationship. The three aspects discussed are the future role and meaning of article 5, the issue of burden-sharing and finally NATO enlargement. On article 5 the article argues that the discussion among the Allies on article 5 reflect the fundamental differences of opinion among them on NATO’s future role and tasks in the world. It will be hard to reach consensus among the Allies on this issue. On the second issue, burden-sharing it is stated that this issue has a history of its own, reflecting the inequality of the two major parts of the Alliance, the US and the European Allies respectively. Burden-sharing has always been uneven given the US political and military weight. There is hardly any reason to assume that this will change in our lifetime. On enlargement, the main argument is that the end of this process has almost been reached. Further enlargement with countries such as Georgia and Ukraine seem incompatible with a NATO policy aimed at a strategic partnership with the Russian Federation. The article ends with some remarks on the dangerous aspects of a new multi- or non-polar world system for European security.
Russia, NATO and the International Societies: Models, Policies, Strategies
Authors: Makarychev Andrey
Published: February 2025

The paper seeks to examine the Russia-NATO relationship within the theoretical framework of the English school with a variety of models of international societies at its core. Three of them are given particular attention— multipolarity, procedural integration and normative plurality. It is argued that each type of international society presupposes a peculiar Russian security stance in general and policy toward NATO in particular. Therefore, the key problem is not Russia’s ‘great design’, but rather the inherent inconsistency of Russia’s foreign policy. As seen from this vantage point, Russia is a country lacking a single and coherent policy toward NATO; in its stead different and sometimes mutually contradictory policy lines compete with each other as alternative conceptualisations of the structure of international relations.
Engaging the Successor Generation in NATO
Authors: Belardetti Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

This article aims at providing readers with some reflections on the evolution of Atlanticism - which is to say the relations between the Euro-Atlantic successor generation and NATO, based on the experience gained at the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA). The article also will focus on the successor generation’s views on NATO and its Strategic Concept. In the third part, how to better engage the successor generation in the NATO debate will be addressed. NATO’s core mission has not changed in 60 years. It is still charged with safeguarding the freedom, common heritage and civilization of our people, while remaining true to the principle of democracy, individual liberty and rule of law as new threats and challenges emerge. Ambition is a crucial element for the future of trans-Atlantic relations and for the new Strategic Concept. YATA strives to play an important role in this regard, by fostering debate over transatlantic relations for world security and stability. Indeed, we believe the message NATO needs to bring forward is a one of peace and transparency, and it is in our interest as citizens of today - and hopefully as the decisions-makers of tomorrow - to ensure the message is heard clearly not only in our countries, but also in those of our partners.
Perceptions and Misperceptions of Portuguese Youngsters on NATO
Authors: de Paiva Pires Samuel
Published: February 2025

Considering the perceptions and misperceptions of Portuguese youngsters on NATO, our objective is to assess the essential causes and consequences of such premises. As national branch of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association, the Portuguese Atlantic Youth Association is responsible for promoting Atlanticism among the Portuguese youth. In this paper, we will describe the association’s origin, its evolution and work. Based on that, we will analyse the general perceptions and misperceptions that constitute the object of our presentation. Taking this analysis into consideration, our intention is to conclude by providing recommendations regarding the way public debate on NATO and Atlanticism should be directed in order to provide a clearer understanding of these issues among the successor generation.
Model Checking
Authors: Peled Doron
Published: February 2025

Model checking is an effective way of comparing a system description against its formal specification and search systematically for errors. The method is gaining a lot of success by being integrated in the hardware design process, and in development of complicated protocols and software. Being an intractable problem, model checking is the ground for very active research that is inspired by many different areas in computer science.
The Work Still to be Done
Authors: Coen Myrianne
Published: February 2025

What is the role of criminal networks in managing transnational flows of illegal immigrants over time, considering that where large movements of populations are observed, it has been registered that they are neither indifferent nor un-organized or random?
The Law of Georgia. Regarding the Fight against Trade in Human Being
Authors: Popiashvili Ilia
Published: February 2025

Before the special incrimination in Georgian Legislation (6 June 2003), the punishment contemplated for trade in human being was far less and thus, the state's legal mechanism was less mobilized for fighting against it. On 24 November 2006, the Parliament of Georgia ratified the European Convention regarding the fight against illegal trade in human beings, as fifth participant State of this Convention.
The Role of Eurojust in the Fight against Organized Criminal Groups Related with South Eastern Europe
Authors: Lilova Mariana
Published: February 2025

International cooperation is decisive in fighting against transnational organised crime. According to the experience of EUROJUST, much remains to be done in order to match the effectiveness of organized crime.
Point of View Shapes Description
Authors: Coen Myrianne
Published: February 2025

Organised crime is not in recess. It is spreading far and wide and, contrary to the image some may have of it, much more harmful than terrorism. Yes, individuals do get arrested, or ‘eliminated’, but criminal organisations remain. They do not disappear. They shift and mutate, but they never lose their criminal character.
Human Trafficking in and Around Russia
Authors: Mehdiyev Farhad
Published: February 2025

Human trafficking is a contemporary slavery, a shameful phenomenon for modern civilization that involves many countries as well as organized criminal groups. From European point of view, Russia is important as a country of origin and as a transit country. Asian migrants, women from China, Vietnam, former Soviet republics like Ukraine, Moldova and Central Asian republics are trafficked to Europe through Russia. Russian women and children are trafficked to very wide geographical areas in the world, mostly to Belgium, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia, United States, Turkey, Greece, Arab Emirates, Israel, Egypt, China, Korea and Japan. The reasons of trafficking in Russia are relatively transparent state borders between Russia and CIS countries, increase in migration outside and inside Russia, low standards of life in comparison with western countries, existence of the stable channels of “deliveries” in Western countries, internal human trafficking within Russia, criminal business from CIS countries, including use of forced labor, globalization of the organized crime. Traffickers operate in small groups. Russian criminal syndicates like “Solnsevskoye”, “Izmailovskoye”, “Domodedovskoye”, “Podolskoye” are involved in human trafficking as buyers of victims. It is recommended to widen the education of potential victims, tighten control over travel, dating, model and job agencies, improve social conditions of potential victims, strengthen family institution, and increase international cooperation with anti-trafficking bodies of other countries. Two significant tasks should also be done: reduce the demand in destination countries and improve social conditions in Russia.
Hey robot, get out of my way
Authors: Peters Annika  , Spexard Thorsten P.  , Hanheide Marc  , Weiss Petra
Published: February 2025

Mobile robots are already applied in factories and hospitals, merely to do a distinct task. It is envisioned that robots assist in households soon. Those service robots will have to cope with several situations and tasks and of course with sophisticated human-robot interactions (HRI). Therefore, a robot has not only to consider social rules with respect to proxemics, it must detect in which (interaction) situation it is in and act accordingly. With respect to spatial HRI, we concentrate on the use of non-verbal communication. This chapter stresses the meaning of both, machine movements as signals towards a human and human body language. Considering these aspects will make interaction simpler and smoother.
Cholinomimetic Actions of Memantine on Learning and Hippocampal Plasticity
Authors: Drever Benjamin  , Anderson William  , Johnson Helena  , O'Callaghan Matthew  , Seo Sangwan  , Choi Deog-Young  , Riedel Gernot  , Platt Bettina
Published: February 2025

The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist memantine, currently prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is assumed to prevent the excitotoxicity implicated in neurodegenerative processes. Here, we investigated the actions of memantine on hippocampal function and signalling. In behavioural experiments using the water maze, we observed that memantine (at 2 mg/kg) reversed scopolamine-induced learning deficits in mice. When acutely applied to mouse hippocampal slices, memantine caused a significant upward shift in the population spike input-output relationship at 10 and 100 μM, and a corresponding downward shift in latency, indicative of overall enhanced synaptic transmission. This action was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (10 μM) but not by the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (10 μM) or the GABA antagonist bicuculline (20 μM). Further, memantine occluded potentiation induced by 50 nM carbachol (CCh), while enhancing inhibitory actions of CCh at 1 μM, suggesting additive actions. As anticipated for an NMDA antagonist, 100 μM (but not 10 μM) memantine also inhibited tetanus-induced long-term potentiation (LTP), and NMDA-induced Ca2+signals were blocked in cultured hippocampal neurones at 10 μM (by 88%). Overall, our data suggest actions of memantine beyond NMDA receptor antagonism, including stimulating effects on cholinergic signalling via muscarinic receptors. These interactions with the cholinergic system are likely to contribute to memantine's therapeutic potential.