bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving Product Design and Requirements Management with SysML
Authors: Hinckel Edmar  , Borsato Milton  , Schmidt Juliana  , Maccari Fabio  , Storrer Paulo  , Onofre Eduardo
Published: February 2025

The Product Development Process (PDP) multidisciplinary aspect, under Concurrent Engineering (CE) principles, leads to overwhelming complexity, where several systems, methods and tools are used in a process with intensive information flow. Nonetheless, the absence of a common language for describing information components, regarding product, process, design and business, give rise to multiple interpretations, hindering full understanding and therefore produces rework and quality issues. This scenario highlights the need for ways to make the availability of product requirement information more dynamic and scope-sensitive (i.e. different levels of abstraction) along the PDP stages. In this context, Model-based System Engineering (MbSE) and supporting system-modeling languages such as SysML propose a product representation structure, through a unique and timeless model, which potentially drives the whole product lifecycle, as the single and ubiquitous information source to stakeholders. In this sense, the goal of this work is to propose a system model that provides reliable product representation, able to support product requirement definition tasks and their use along the PDP, allowing significant gains in productivity and reduction of non-conformities. The methodology adopted in this work follows the principles of DSR (Design Science Research), considering a real scenario inserted in a multinational enterprise context, in the agriculture-applied machinery sector. The model proposed is expected to assist the generation and usage of product information at various abstraction levels, by all stakeholders during the PDP, therefore reducing rework and enhancing design quality.
The Design Process Data Representation Based on Semantic Features Generalization
Authors: Tsygankov Denis  , Pokhilko Alexander  , Sidorichev Andrei  , Ryabov Sergey
Published: February 2025

This article is about the approach to achieve of design decisions modifiability on the level of assembly units. The main feature of this approach is design parameters manipulation as the semantic attributes. This is achieved by the assembly process representation of consistent implementation design procedures. They are treated as basic operations set, united by object orientation with a strictly defined semantic content.
3D PDF-Assisted Planning for Disassembly and Recycling of Complex Products
Authors: Klier Felix  , Pfouga Alain  , Rulhoff Stefan  , Stjepandić Josip
Published: February 2025

Manufacturing companies nowadays are more than ever compelled to adapt to the challenges of constantly changing conditions in the product creation process. The exchange of digital data and data processing are in the foreground in many processes from initial idea to disassembly and recycling. For this purpose, especially in product development and in downstream processes, versatile data formats are needed which are able to enrich 3D product data with additional information. Subsequently, the 3D PDF is a potentially suitable format to support a variety of applications. It offers not only the ability to visualize 3D data without installing or licensing a CAD system, but also allows the data to be dynamically adjusted, commented and animated in a template container. By means of digital rights management, a know-how protection is provided in the use of 3D PDF, which has a high priority in many industries of the manufacturing sector. In this paper, a concept for the use of 3D PDF is presented regarding a defined workflow for disassembly and recycling within the product creation process. For achieving this, an analysis of existing use cases and associated processes is necessary. After having identified an distinctive field of studies with the help of the model, it is to work out a new use case. Later in the paper a workflow is developed and finally a prototypical example of the 3D PDF document is implemented.
Managing Risks in Knowledge Exchange: Trade-Offs Interdependencies
Authors: Wognum Nel  , Wever Mark  , Stjepandić Josip
Published: February 2025

Knowledge exchange, as required in Trans-disciplinary Engineering processes (TE) is not without risk. Many types and sources of risk exist, which depend on the type of interdependency between actors (companies) in TE teams as well as on the strategic nature of the knowledge exchanged. Risks need to be managed, not only with technical means, but also with other types of methods, like contracts. In this paper, different types of interdependencies are described which influence the risks that actors may encounter. Moreover, in managing risks, different trade-offs arise, which complicate the choice of a suitable method. In the paper, an introduction to different types of contractual solutions is presented, which need to be extended in further research.
BND: A Proposal of a Business Needs Documentation for Software Solutions to Business Analysts
Authors: Quingerski Leandro  , da Costa Scheila Nair  , Schwening Cristiano  , de sá Freire Patricia
Published: February 2025

The main role of a business analyst is to assimilate information from a business domain and present it in a clear and understandable way to the addressees. However, in the case of Software Engineering there is absence of artifacts able to consolidate all information relating to business needs. This study, conducted through a directed search on the subject and a bibliographic research as well, presents a documentation proposal of business needs for software projects. Given the problem, the structure of the proposed artifact can help at later stages of the business analysis by giving valuable inputs for the development of a software solution.
E/E-Product Data Management in Consideration of Model-Based Systems Engineering
Authors: Groll Marco W.  , Heber Dominik
Published: February 2025

This paper presents objectives for permeable electric/electronics product data management for mechatronic products in consideration of model-based systems engineering from the early product development phase till a lifecycle management. Idiosyncrasies of mechatronic products, requirements engineering, model-based systems engineering, artifact-orientation, and interconnections of artifacts are evaluated and postulate objectives, how artifacts have to be designed in order to support the linkage of model-based systems engineering and product data management (PDM). The objectives, derived from the different theories and requirements to foster permeable PDM, are: i) Identify all existing norms for the development of mechanical, electronic, and software aspects and elaborate how information artifacts have to be defined. ii) (Textual) Requirements have to be technically feasible to be linked to information artifacts and system models already in the early development phase. iii) System models have to be aligned to information artifacts from the models' creation onwards and standardization in exchange formats has to be ensured. iv) Information artifacts with own lifecycles shall alleviate PDM in the early product development phase. v) Interconnections shall ameliorate associativity through capturing process information between single artifacts. A first concept is presented, visualizing the aforementioned objectives and their contribution in the early development process of mechatronic products, how a permeable PDM might be achieved.
Advances in Smart Manufacturing Change Management
Authors: Macke Nils  , Rulhoff Stefan  , Stjepandić Josip
Published: February 2025

Many manufacturers lack comprehensive and seamless management for the change processes occurring between planning and the shop floor – particularly when it comes to cross-location, cross-disciplinary, and cross-departmental planning. This paper describes the emergence of the PSI/VDA recommendation which addresses this challenge. It's Manufacturing Change Management (MCM) defines a reference sequence of steps for managing the changes between planning and the shop floor. To define this reference process, the recommendation first discusses how MCM fits into the business environment and identifies the main participants of the change processes. Next, the best possible structural steps involved in the processing of a change enquiry are detailed and the typical tasks and their extents are described. Leading on from the conceptual basis of the MCM process, its suitability for specific applications within companies is then discussed in reference to relevant use cases. Next, the recommendation shows how to work out a software-based support structure for the concept and implement as a prototype. The key element of the software-based implementation is to map the changes within a superordinate change list. Lastly, the solution provides an easy-to-use practical tool for initiating change enquiries. This can be deployed flexibly on mobile devices such as tablet PCs on the shop floor.
Using Simulation Method for Designing ADAS Systems for Electric Vehicle
Authors: Jezierska-Krupa Katarzyna  , Skarka Wojciech
Published: February 2025

Since 2012 the Smart Power Team has been actively participating in worldwide competition – the Shell Eco-marathon. From the beginning, the team has been working to increase driver's safety on the road by developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This paper presents unique method for designing ADAS systems in order to minimize the costs of the design phase and system implementation and at the same time to maximize the positive effect the system has on driver and vehicle safety. The described method is based on using virtual prototyping tool to simulate the system performance in real life situations. This approach enabled an iterative design process, which resulted in reduction of errors with almost no prototyping and testing costs.
Optimisation of Operational Parameters Based on Simulation Numerical Model of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack Used for Electric Car Drive
Authors: Tyczka Mateusz  , Skarka Wojciech
Published: February 2025

Hydrogen fuel cell stack is used as a rare and sophisticated power source in nowadays electric cars. Our team has built ultra-light energy-efficient vehicle for research purposes that uses hydrogen fuel cell stack as a power source and electric engines as sole drive of the car. The problem of optimizing the operating parameters of the hydrogen fuel cell stack was solved by numerical simulation studies conducted on a simulation model of the hydrogen fuel cell stack. The paper presents a numerical simulation model of hydrogen fuel cell stack system developed in Matlab Simulink and the results of simulation allow the selection and optimization of the control parameters adapted to the specific conditions of use. The model reflects the performance characteristics of the cell and allows the simulation work and control of hydrogen fuel cell stacks composed of hydrogen tank, control valves and controller, sensors, energy buffer system (supercondensers) etc. The model of electric power source based on hydrogen fuel cell stack was built as a module that can be used in the previously developed simulation models of electric vehicles.
A Framework for Applying Additive Manufacturing to Consumable Process Parts
Authors: Disner Nairana Aparecida Alberton  , Deschamps Fernando  , Pinheiro de Lima Edson
Published: February 2025

The growing competitiveness among automakers and other organizations of the automotive supply chain has been the trigger for innovation in production technologies so that objectives and goals can be met. In highlight, one of the main innovations being adopted as a source of cost reduction, reduced processing times and process flexibility are the so called 3D printers or additive manufacturing technologies. There are currently 13 different types of additive manufacturing technologies and the choice of which technology to use is based on different factors such as unitary cost of the processed part, processing time, accuracy, surface finish, and mechanical properties such as thermal resistance, among others. In order to assist in this selection process, this work presents a preliminary framework for applying additive manufacturing technologies to consumable process parts, such as nozzles, fixtures and support devices, which are not incorporated in the final product, but because of wear or destruction, need frequent replacement in the production process. This framework is based on a set of exploratory case studies conducted in an organization of the automotive industry and the literature on additive manufacturing and decision-making methods. The framework is composed of a set of criteria to be evaluated when assessing which consumable process part may be matched by a specific additive manufacturing technology, and a process that guides the application of these criteria. The framework's utility, usability and feasibility is finally discussed.
Dependability Modeling for the Failure Prognostics in Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Lira David N.  , Borsato Milton
Published: February 2025

The recent advances in Smart Manufacturing open opportunities in Maintenance and Management of its assets through new support strategies. This trend allows the collection of machine operation data in the shop floor, in order to interact with cyberspace computers through a communication network, therefore enabling the Cyber Physical System concept (CPS). Furthermore, the rapid advances of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) provide means to analyze Big Data, more quickly, autonomously, ubiquitously and in real time, offering information that assist in more efficient decision making in manufacturing processes. Nowadays, Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) leverages researches in the new generation of manufacturing. For this, an architecture called 5Cs, that directs the PHM implementation in CPS context is being adopted with expressive results, which allows the application of several math and/or Artificial Intelligence techniques to estimate the assets' remaining useful life. In particular, the use of Experts Systems and semantic information modeling can make it possible to represent knowledge found in the scientific literature and consolidated standards about the subject. This paper uses methodology of ontology development 101, which guides management, development and documenting of a formal taxonomy of failure prognostics. For model creation and evaluation, the Protégé suite is used, for it allows future researches to interact with the model, such as monitoring techniques and failure diagnostics in order to simulate real cases of mechanical components. This way, new possibilities for cyberspace oriented application development for industrial machine health management are revealed.
Structuring a Foundation Basis for Semantic Interoperability in Product Development Process
Authors: Szejka Anderson Luis  , Leite Athon Francisco Curi Staben de Moura  , Canciglieri Matheus Beltrame  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris
Published: February 2025

The continuous improvement of products to attend consumer needs are increasing the product development process's (PDP) complexity. This demands that systems offer support to many different stages of PDP, as much as in tangible products (physical objects) as in intangible products (services, software). Concurrently, it was identified a considerable increase in the quantity and level of detailing of the information from those systems. However, there was also an increase in the number of semantical obstacles on sharing the latter. These semantical obstacles are mainly related to the heterogenic nature of the information, which has its captured meaning interpreted in a divergent way, increasing the project costs and development time. In this context, along with the Interoperable Product Design Manufacture System (IPDMS) concept, this article proposes the development of the core ontologies from the foundation view of this new methodology, in order to aid the semantical interoperability in the Product Design stage, further improving the exchange of information during different phases of the PDP. The first stage of this research is dedicated to review the main concepts on PDP, interoperability and ontology engineering. The second stage is dedicated to the concept exploration on the creation of core ontologies and its relation to the foundation view of the IPDMS.The final stage regards the creation of the core ontologies, which will serve as basis for further development of the system and work as knowledge basis for the entire concept. This will allow an analysis on consistency and information sharing with other elements of the Product Design and Manufacture in future stages. The creation of the core ontologies was related to the development of a plastic injected product, gathering domains such as Design and Materials, that will further combine to create the product model ontology. The development of the concept can bring advantages to the PDP and increase the automation during the decision making process. This tool of support showed potential to aid the exchange of information and inconsistency analysis at the product development process in the future, allowing risks reduction and rework at advanced project stages, also remarkably reducing time and total project costs.
Particle Size Distribution Correction Method Using a Simulated Annealing Technique
Authors: Diógenes Alysson Nunes
Published: February 2025

The procedure for obtaining the particle size distribution by visual inspection of a sample involves stereological errors, given the cut of the sample. A cut particle, supposedly spherical, with radius R, will be counted as a circular particle with radius r, r≤R. The difference between r and R depends on how far from the center of the sphere the cut was performed. This introduces errors when the extrapolation of the properties from two to three dimensions during the analysis of a sample. The usual method is to correct the distribution by probabilistic functions, which have large errors. This paper presents a method to reduce the error inherent to this problem. The method is to compute a simulation of the preparation process in a sample whose structure can be described by non-penetrating spheres of various diameters which meet a known probability distribution function, for example, a log-logistic function, or even a constant function. For each distribution radius, a number of spheres is generated and virtually cut, generating a bi-dimensional (2D) distribution. The 2D curves of the spheres distribution obtained in this simulation are compared with that obtained by the experimental procedure and then the parameters of the threedimensional distribution function are adjusted until the 2D curves are similar to the experimental one using the optimization method Simulated Annealing for the curve-fitting. In future this method will be applied to the analysis of the oil reservoir rocks.
Generative Modeling in Ultra-Efficient Vehicle Design
Authors: Jałowiecki Andrzej  , Skarka Wojciech
Published: February 2025

Fast and dynamic development of engineering and technology forces designers to reduce time which is needed to design new technical object. The result of this process was fast development of Computer Aided Design (CAD) methods and with the development of such systems new knowledge focused on design methods based on Knowledge-based Engineering (KBE) were developed. One of KBE approaches connected with the application of CAD systems is Generative Modeling, which automates routine design performed in CAD systems. As a result design features, whole parts and even whole assemblies can be generated automatically in CAD system. These generated assemblies and elements can adapt to changed input data. Thus, Generative Modeling method can increase the speed and quality of designed elements. As a use case for application of generative modeling subassemblies of ultra-efficient electric vehicle and drive transmission assembly were used. The process of constructing generative models of assemblies and systems of ultra-efficient car was described, especially acquisition of knowledge and creating knowledge model up to integration knowledge with CAD system – in this case it is CATIA V5. The problems faced during the process of processing knowledge and solutions to these problems were addressed. Additionally, further steps for development of the models and the advantages of generative modeling approach were described.
Apolipoprotein E Related Co-Morbidities and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Singhrao Sim K.  , Harding Alice  , Chukkapalli Sasanka  , Olsen Ingar  , Kesavalu Lakshmyya  , Crean StJohn
Published: February 2025

The primary goal of advancement in clinical services is to provide a health care system that enhances an individual's quality of life. Incidence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and associated dementia coupled with the advancing age of the population, have led to an increase in the worldwide challenge to the healthcare system. In order to overcome these challenges, prior knowledge of common, reliable risk factors and their effectors is essential. Oral health constitutes one such relatively unexplored but indispensable risk factor for aforementioned co-morbidities, in the form of poor oral hygiene and tooth loss during aging. Behavioral traits such as low education, smoking, poor diet, neglect of oral health, lack of exercise, and hypertension are few of the risk factors that are shared commonly among these conditions. In addition, common genetic susceptibility traits such as the apolipoprotein E gene, together with an individual's lifestyle can also influence the development of co-morbidities such as periodontitis, atherosclerosis/stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. This review specifically addresses the susceptibility of apolipoprotein E gene allele 4 as the plausible commonality for the etiology of co-morbidities that eventually result from periodontal diseases and ultimately progress to dementia.
Georgia's Occupied Territories and Corruption at the Occupation Line
Authors: Bachiashvili Nato
Published: February 2025

The following material will address the present situation of the occupied regions of Georgia and provide examples of corruption at the occupation line. The first part will focus on the general circumstances in two of Georgia's occupied territories: the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. The aspect of the so-called “crawling occupation” will be highlighted. The next part of the article will be dedicated to the topic of the freedom of movement in the occupied territories and problems related to the transportation of goods, as well as related facts of corruption.The last part will present information about instances of kidnapping by the so-called “border guards” of the Russian occupying regime as one of the sources of corruption.The final part of the article will emphasize the importance of international instruments for the solution of the above-mentioned humanitarian problems.
The Prevention and Fight Against Corruption. Experiences of the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia
Authors: Dreimanis Ilvars
Published: February 2025

This research paper touches upon aspects like prevention and fight against corruption and the role of the Latvian Law Enforcement authorities and non-governmental organisations in this area, as well as the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia and structures within the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia responsible for prevention and fight against corruption.
Dynamics and Geographical Distinctions of Crime Connected with Migrants Moving to Europe on Different Routes
Authors: Filippov Stanislav
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this article is to consider the features of different routes of illegal migration to Europe. Thus we will reveal in more details the specifics of two routes: the Central Mediterranean route and the route through the eastern borders of the EU. The first of them focuses on a number of criminogenic threats regarding migrants. The second is considered as an interesting one taking into account the nature of our professional activity.
Integrated Border Management Mechanisms in Ukraine
Authors: Servatiuk Vasyl
Published: February 2025

Increasing the effectiveness of border security of Ukraine requires further improvement of Integrated Border Management. The key element of the effective counteraction of transnational crimes on the border is the development of mutual relations, close interaction and cooperation with the European partners, especially within the format of conducting common risk analysis and joint work of operational structures. New challenges and threats prompted the review of the doctrinal provisions of the formation and implementation of the modern border security policy.
Corruption State Trust and Informality in Ukraine
Authors: Polese Abel
Published: February 2025

Since independence, Ukraine and the international community have spent, allegedly with little results, a substantial amount of resources trying to reduce the role of informal practices, and corruption, in a variety of sectors. This essay proposes several reasons behind the failure of these measures and their incapacity to bring about a substantial change. First, the use of an excessively comprehensive definition of corruption has prompted domestic and international actors to concentrate their efforts on fighting a too vast variety of practices, resulting in excessive spreading of resources. Second, there has been limited attention to the issue of state trust and the possibility that informal practices are a way to bypass a state in which few believe or are willing to take into account for their daily life. Finally, domestic and international interventions have tended to take for granted certain mechanisms and institutions that, failing to consolidate, have not been able to support reforms the way they were intended to be.
Corruption on the Finnish-Russian Border – Method and Result
Authors: Aromaa Kauko
Published: February 2025

Corruption experiences on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border were studied using written questionnaires or interviews with police, customs and border authority representatives, as well as business people active in the region of the border. Finnish business people engaged in road transports were the only category of respondents who volunteered information on victimisation to corruption by the representatives of the Russian authorities. These respondents described a large variety of systematic extortions of bribes under numerous pretexts.
What Matters Most Is Not the Size of the “Storm” but the Scale of the Impact
Authors: Cant Dominique
Published: February 2025

Communication is the most critical aspect of disaster management. The word “communicate” implies conveying of thoughts, ideas, warnings, instructions, orders, command, knowledge and information. In the context of disaster management, reliable and safe communication is vital during all phases of disaster management from prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. This chapter provides some key elements and recommendations for solving the problem of secure data exchange between different organizations to improve crisis management in the maritime domain.
PASSAGES – A System for Improved Safety and Security of Maritime Operations in Arctic Areas
Authors: Biermann Joachim
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an overview of the Canadian-German research project PASSAGES (Protection and Advanced Surveillance System for the Arctic: Green, Efficient, Secure)The PASSAGES Project: http://passages.ie.dal.ca.
Intelligence Analysis: Needs and Solutions
Authors: Shahbazian Elisa
Published: February 2025

Intelligence analysis is the process by which the information collected about an enemy is used to answer tactical questions about current operations, or to predict future behavior. The collected data is stored in distributed, stove-piped systems, with loss of important data attributes in preprocessing. Existing information analysis tool suites provide visualization, user interfaces, maps, and link analysis, however the analysis manly occurs in the analyst's head, leveraging his/her training and experience. This chapter reviews the state-of-the-art tools; ongoing research and development efforts to enhance analysis capability, and challenges of the development of necessary analysis capabilities.
Comparing Information Structures Used in the Maritime Defence and Security Domain
Authors: Isenor Anthony W.  , Allard Yannick  , Mayrand Michel
Published: February 2025

As assets are engaged to collect data and intelligence on the entities or parties of interest to a defense or security operation, much of the collected data are represented in electronic form and subsequently stored in an assortment of files or databases. It is also typical that these data or information need to be shared with others involved in the investigation, task group, coalition, or security force. The effectiveness of this sharing is ultimately judged by how well the receiving party understands the information it has received. In this paper we examine the commonality of concepts between information systems in the Canadian defense and security regime. Specifically, we consider components of the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM), the Canadian Naval Positioning Repository (NPR), a port clearance structure, and a messaging structure that evolved out of a Canadian defense research and development effort. We then investigate the performance of graph-based approaches for automatic schema matching over these schemas. The information structures, or schemas, are examined using the open-source software for combining match algorithms (COMA). Results of the investigation show how the diverse terminology in maritime defense and security introduces unnecessary differences in the vocabularies (e.g., using vessel, ship, or identity as the descriptor for an object). Results also show how discrepancies are introduced through data typing, the structure itself, and semantics. Overall, the investigation indicates that the graph-based methods do not appear to offer a way of automating structure matching while maintaining confidence in the output for schema used across the different systems underlying the Canadian MDA.
Human Identification Using Virtual 3D Imaging to Control Border Crossing
Authors: Hakobyan Hayk  , Hakobyan Robert  , Aslanyan Koryun
Published: February 2025

Human identification is an important aspect of border crossing. Identification makes it possible to recognize criminals or unauthorized entities and to prevent illegal border crossing. However, the identification process should remain comfortable and convenient for authorized entities. In this paper, we present an efficient face recognition system based on 2 cameras, which obtains a 3D image by processing data from camera video streams. Existing identification systems are also discussed.
Naval Ship Classification with Generalized Belief Functions Using a New Approximation Algorithm
Authors: Djiknavorian Pascal  , Grenier Dominic
Published: February 2025

This research addresses the computational complexity of data fusion under the Dempster-Shafer mathematical theory of evidence as well as the Dezert-Smarandache theory. As earlier research has shown, the use of these theories results in better data fusion results. However utilization of these theories is hampered by computational complexity when dealing with large scale problems. This paper presents a new approximation algorithm allowing target classification and identification for a larger number of target classes with a reasonable execution time. The paper also presents the results of application of the developed method to classification of naval ships.
Efficiency of Generating Highly Nonlinear Boolean Functions over Quasigroups
Authors: Alaverdyan Yeghisabet
Published: February 2025

This research presents a link between Boolean and modern algebra. The computational complexity of generating highly nonlinear balanced Boolean functions for designing efficient ciphers is shown. Generalized identities shaped as quasigroups are then analyzed to introduce an efficient mathematical apparatus for generating highly nonlinear Boolean functions over quasigroups.
Secure Data Hiding in PDF Files Using an Encrypted Secret Message
Authors: Arshakyan Anahit
Published: February 2025

A desktop application providing steganographic data hiding is proposed. The steganographic key secure exchange is realized through the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, and Portable Document Format files are used as data containers taking into account their widespread use on the Internet. A permutation cipher for providing original data security has also been applied.
A Security Assessment Framework for e-Health: A Croatian Perspective
Authors: Belani Hrvoje  , Ljubi Igor  , Blašković Bruno
Published: February 2025

E-health aims to use information and communication technologies to improve the health of citizens, the productivity and efficiency of healthcare delivery, and the social and economic value of health. It encompasses the various interoperability approaches and mechanisms of health services, products and processes, combined with organizational changes in healthcare systems, with regard to interactions between patients and health-service providers, institution-to-institution data-transmission, or peer-to-peer communication between patients and/or health professionals. Since the inappropriate use or misuse of medical information can lead to undesirable outcomes, medicine and health are considered to be very sensitive areas of human life and work. It is therefore important to implement security policies, practices and procedures, as well as cyber security and defense technologies, which help to protect e-health systems against attacks, to detect abnormal activities, and to establish proven contingency plans. This work presents a framework for the security assessment of national e-health systems, which considers country-level practices and perspectives on cyber defense, information security and data protection in e-health in a holistic manner. The framework covers assessment criteria: from national security and critical infrastructures to personal data protection and user and information privacy, and various cyber security aspects in government-to-government, government-to-citizen and government-to-business categories of the e-government ecosystem. Security assessment criteria are grouped and analyzed through four interoperability aspects: legal, technical, semantic and organizational. The security assessment framework was validated and established on the Croatian e-health system, and its advantages and limitations are identified.
Applicable Laws During South-East European Countries' Counter-Terrorist Efforts
Authors: Hadji-Janev Metodi
Published: February 2025

International terrorism is a serious threat to the regional security in South East Europe. Although the applicability of law during the counter-terrorist efforts is essential to NATO and Euro-Atlantic efforts in the fight against terrorism this subject has not been addressed appropriately by the SEE countries. The article provides a general overview of the applicable laws that South East European Countries must consider in their counter-terrorist efforts. It explains what laws apply during domestic and international counter-terrorist efforts and operations.
ISIS Social Media Exploitation in the SEE
Authors: Jolicoeur Pierre  , Seaboyer Anthony
Published: February 2025

Social media exploitation by state and non-state actors has an increasingly visible effect on the contemporary operating environment (COE); relating to national security as well as political systems and democracy in general. No case shows this clearer than ISIS social media exploitation and this case was crucial for operations leading to the largest effect any armed, non-state actor likely every produced on global security perceptions. How exactly did ISIS use social media to achieve this effect? After an introduction to relevant characteristics of social media for the (COE), this chapter briefly introduces the first prominent case of social media exploitation for security operations, the “Twitter War” between the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Hamas in November 2012. This chapter then goes on to explain how ISIS exploits social media in the South-Eastern European (SEE) and concludes by identifying challenges for the COE that come through armed, non-state actor social media exploitation. Social media is a highly effective tool for influence operations: however, with it come significant challenges that have to be manage not only from a national security perspective, but also for democracy.
Global Collective Intelligence System to Support Efforts to Prevent Lone Wolf Terrorism
Authors: Glenn Jerome C.
Published: February 2025

The continued acceleration of the power of technological capacity, its increasing complexity and synergies and many new technologies from artificial intelligence to synthetic biology, and their future availability to the public makes it increasingly difficult to keep track of change and anticipate future terrorist use of technologies. Such future technological capacities will also give new abilities to detect and prevent terrorist actives. Collective intelligence systems are one method to keep track and anticipate such changes. There are a range of definitions for “collective intelligence” and applications. This paperThis paper is drawn in part from articles by the author in Futura 4/2009, World Future Review (Fall 2013), and Technological Forecasting & Social Change (2013) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2013.10.010.
The World in 2040. Framework Conditions for New Kinds of Terrorism
Authors: Steinmüller Karlheinz
Published: February 2025

The paper explores the context of possible future developments in terrorism. It starts with an outline of the world in 2040 according to existing megatrends, including economic, technological, societal and environmental trends and the global power shift. On this background, possible lines of societal controversies and of political conflicts are drawn, and potential situations of crisis in various parts of the world are depicted. These developments, conflicts and crises may potentially give rise to new (or revived) terrorist movements, fostered e.g. by the next wave of social media and digital technologies. A selection of terrorism-related wild cards with respect to new forms of recruitment, new means of attack, and new targets completes picture. The paper closes with a short glimpse at science fiction.
Technologies in CyberSpace: A Context of Threats and Defenses
Authors: Kessler Gary C.
Published: February 2025

NATO has recognized cyberspace as the fourth operational domain. Cyberspace is a vector for crime, war, terrorism, and other activities, both positive and negative. This paper discusses four areas of particular concern in cyberspace, namely, social media, the deep and dark Web, cryptography and steganography, and the Internet of Things. Each of the areas is described in terms of technology, threat, and, where relevant, defenses against those threats.
The Importance of Information Sharing in the Fight Against Terrorism
Authors: Picozzi Selene
Published: February 2025

Following the NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Human Factors in the Defense Against Terrorism, the Case of Jordan” held on November 2016 at the Dead Sea, this paper will focus on the importance for the international community to share information between institutions and stakeholders. It will mainly discuss the attempts by NATO, its partners and other relevant actors to improve information-sharing to better prevent radicalization and thwart terrorism.
Jordan Faces New Waves and Challenges of Terrorism: Enough Theorizing, Time for Action
Authors: Sabaileh Amer  , Abu Dalhoum Mohammed
Published: February 2025

ISIS constitutes a security threat to Jordan, both in the form of its fighting cells in Iraq and Syria as well as its dormant cells. The threat is challenging in part due to an on-going transformation, which is resulting in new waves of terror. These new waves aim to shake confidence in Jordan's security and cause internal dispute, which can be exploited by dormant cells, as was the case in the Karak incident. These new trends ought to be faced with an improved and enhanced security system on one hand, and a multilateral de-radicalisation process on the other.
Danish Foreign Fighters: Past and Present Patterns
Authors: Holmsted Larsen Chris
Published: February 2025

The aim of this contribution is, through a comparative historical perspective, to analyse the particular phenomenon of foreign fighters, which in recent years, as a consequence of the proliferation of conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine, have emerged in Danish society as a major security concern and public issue.
Foreign Fighters, Religious Radicalism and Violent Extremism in Albania and the Western Balkans
Authors: Spahiu Ebi
Published: February 2025

This contribution analyses religious radicalism and violent extremism in Albania and the growth of foreign fighters who joined the war in Syria and Iraq from Albania and the Western Balkans in recent years. As a new NATO member and an aspiring EU Member State, Albania's case reflects that of many countries of the Western Balkans, largely from Muslim-majority areas, which have seen their citizens join extremist groups in the Middle East since the outset of the Syrian conflict in 2011. The number of foreign fighters from Albania and the rest of the region peaked when Abu Bakhr Al-Baghadadi, alleged leader of the Islamic State (also known as ISIS, ISIL, and Daesh), proclaimed in the summer of 2014 the formation of a new caliphate in Syria and Iraq while also calling on Muslims from around the world to join the group. In Albania, domestic security and intelligence services quickly took action against homegrown cells, responding to concerns voiced by international partners. Ever since, both Albania and other Balkan countries have adopted legislation aimed at curbing the participation of their citizens in foreign conflicts, but the threats remain as the cleavage between Muslim communities broadens, and as transnational activities, including a potential nexus between religious extremism and organised crime, pose additional threats to regional and state security.
National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security as Tools of Foreign Policy: Reconsidering Gender Security in the West
Authors: Aroussi Sahla
Published: February 2025

Security Council resolution 1325 resulted from a grassroots alliance between feminist activists, women's groups, civil society and international organisations, and a few States that supported the idea of a resolution on women, peace and security (WPS). This article uses a postcolonial feminist lens to argue that the UN WPS framework has since become a vehicle for Western States to pursue their national interests abroad. The mistaken assumption that gender security has been achieved in the West reflects racialised, imperialistic narratives, inscribed in the UN's WPS resolutions, that situate Western States as benevolent saviours of women in the conflict-ridden and poverty-stricken Global South. The article illustrates that national action plans produced by Western liberal States have been reduced to foreign policy tools. It recommends that the scope of the UN's WPS resolutions be expanded to make them relevant to vulnerable women who are experiencing insecurity and exclusion in the West.
Between the Arab Revolutions and the Islamic State's Caliphate: al-Qaeda Leaders' Online Propaganda 2012–2014
Authors: Weimann Gunnar J.
Published: February 2025

Following the Arab revolutions, al-Qaeda adapted its strategy with the aim of benefiting from the popular protests. Adopting a low profile and trying to merge with local protest and opposition movements, it aimed to create safe havens from which it could prepare attacks on Western targets. In an effort not to alienate local populations, it promised to ensure security, welfare, and services in territories under its control. This new approach was challenged by the Islamic State's aggressive behaviour towards local populations and its declaration of the caliphate. This chapter compares ideological online treatises on the issue of the caliphate which were produced by major al-Qaeda affiliates in reaction to the Islamic State's declaration, and argues that al-Qaeda was forced to develop more concrete views on how and by whom a true caliph is chosen than ever before in its history. To prevent negative repercussions on the rest of the jihadist movement, these views needed to reconcile the popular protests' core demand of increased political participation with al-Qaeda's strong rejection of democracy as an ideology incompatible with Islam. In the longer term, the formulations found might increase al-Qaeda's capabilities to cooperate with movements that do not necessarily share its ideology of a global confrontation between Islam and non-Muslims.
Learning from ISIS's Virtual Propaganda War for Western Muslims: A Comparison of Inspire and Dabiq
Authors: Ingram Haroro J.
Published: February 2025

Islamic State's (ISIS) Dabiq English-language magazine has been central to its propaganda war for Western Muslims. This study analyses Dabiq, using Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's (AQAP) Inspire for comparative purposes, to explore how its narratives are strategically designed to appeal to and radicalise its audiences. It examines how strategically designed in-group, Other, crisis and solution constructs are variously interplayed via value-, dichotomy- and crisis-reinforcing narratives to coax audiences into making rational- and/or identity-choice decisions. It explores how these narratives provide its readers with a “competitive system of meaning” in order to shape their perceptions and polarise their support. This analysis then analyses a range of different strategies and levers that are used in Dabiq to boost the appeal of its messaging. It concludes by outlining lessons for counterterrorism strategic communications drawn from the preceding analysis.
An Efficient Response to ISIS in Cyberspace: Public-Private Partnership
Authors: Çelik Minhac
Published: February 2025

The main aim of terrorists is to spread fear and panic in society. This has been facilitated by widespread use of the Internet and communications technologies. Social media is considered to be one of the most prominent platforms that can be used to effectively shape public opinion in order to reach desired outcomes. Terrorist organisations have always been aware of this fact, and have utilised cyberspace not only for propaganda and the promotion of their own narratives, but for a wide range of purposes, including recruitment, secret communication, and financial transactions. From the initial terror attacks that put ISIS in the spotlight, the terrorist organisation has efficiently been making use of the unique features of this technology, both actively and passively. In addition to the uses listed above, ISIS supporters have conducted cyber-attacks on crucial targets, differentiating themselves from other violent extremists, and pushing those countries fighting against ISIS to generate a specific cyber-strategy which has become an integral part of the “war on terror”. This chapter sets out to examine the cyberspace activities of ISIS, with a particular focus on the Paris attacks of 2015 and the subsequent Western responses. The aim is twofold: firstly, to provide an insight into terrorist use of cyberspace, with specific examples of the ways that ISIS militants and supporters exploit a wide array of methods and tools with the aim of sustaining legitimacy and operational security; secondly, this paper analyses Western responses to ISIS activities in cyberspace with an emphasis on the role of technology companies in disrupting and destructing the terrorist organisation's cyber-operations. The discussion concludes with a consideration of the partnership possibilities between nation-states and technology companies, which, in the aftermath of the Snowden leaks, come at a time when trust between the two entities has been deeply shaken.