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While health and care are increasingly delivered in a digital world, the digital community continues to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this rapidly developing environment, it is acknowledged that the whole digital health and healthcare community is responsible for initiating and creating positive change. This book presents the proceedings of HIC 2024, the annual Australasian national conference for digital health and health informatics, held in Brisbane, Australia, from 5-7 August 2024. The conference provided the ideal environment for clinicians, researchers, health IT professionals, industry and consumers to integrate, collaborate, educate and share their knowledge. The conference - It Starts With Us - focused on 6 themes that underpin a fully digital healthcare sector: recipient of care experience; provider of care capability; clinical informatics; innovative models of care; integrated and connected care; and informatics infrastructure. The 28 papers and 15 posters reflect these themes, highlighting the research and technological innovations that are supporting the digital transformation of the healthcare sector. This book includes examples of a future where collective insights, shared knowledge, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind systemic improvements. It will be of interest to all those involved in the field of healthcare.

It is almost 120 years since Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first reported, and the concept of managing some of the modifiable risk factors associated with the disease has been present from the outset. Intervening to manage risk factors as a way of tackling AD is not new, but optimizing brain health as a way of minimizing risk and maximizing the potential benefits of revolutionary new treatments for AD is becoming increasingly important. This book, the Handbook of Intervention and Alzheimer's Disease, presents 47 papers exploring factors which may either inspire or inform future treatment and clinical trials. While novel interventions such as anti-amyloid immunotherapy present great opportunities, they may also increase the risk of brain bleeds and edema, which in turn may lead to adverse clinical outcomes. Such adverse outcomes are demonstrably more likely to occur in persons with poor brain health, so improved management of the risk factors which make up the AD preventome will also minimize the risks associated with such novel therapies. The papers in this volume can therefore be thought of as offering insight into those factors that can optimize brain health or providing key insights into interventions which may achieve such outcomes. Together with its companion volume on prevention, the book provides a comprehensive overview of strategies for tackling Alzheimer's disease, and will be of interest to all those working in the field. Cover illustration: Improved hypoperfusion (resolving blue colors) on ASL MRI Z-score maps superimposed on structural MRI scans at baseline and one year in a PET amyloid-positive research participant with cognitive complaints undergoing one year of multi-domain personalized brain health interventions (vascular disease management, dietary optimization, sustained physical activity etc.). Permission to use this figure was granted both by the study P.I. Dr. David Merrill, MD, PhD, of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute and the research participant.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field of computer science which integrates multiple disciplines such as computer science, psychology, and philosophy. It is a technology that develops theories, methods, technologies, and application systems to simulate, extend, and expand human intelligence by attempting to understand its essence, producing a new, intelligent machine that can respond in a way similar to human intelligence. Artificial intelligence now plays an increasingly important role in the development of global industries and economies, and as such is currently changing our world significantly, making AI research a hot topic worldwide. This book presents the proceedings of ICICTA 2023, the 16th International Conference on Intelligent Computing Technology and Automation, held on 24-25 October 2023 in Xi'an, China. The conference is an annual forum dedicated to emerging and challenging topics in AI and its applications, and its aim is to bring together an international community of researchers and practitioners in the field of AI to share the latest research achievements, discuss recent advances influence future direction, and promote the diffusion of the discipline throughout the scientific community at large. A total of 322 submissions were received for ICICTA 2023, and each paper received at least 2 review reports in a rigorous peer-review procedure. Based on these reports, 141 papers were ultimately accepted and are included in this book. The book offers a current overview of developments in AI technology, and will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field of computer science which now plays an increasingly important role in many disciplines. A catalyst for significant change, research into AI is of particular importance in fields such as medicine and education, and as such has become an area to watch for many people worldwide. This book presents the proceedings of AIMEE 2023, the 7th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Medical Engineering and Education, held on 9 and 10 November 2023 in Guangzhou, China. The conference brought together top international researchers from around the world to exchange research results and address open issues in AI, medical engineering and education. A total of 238 submissions were received for AIMEE 2023, of which 89 papers were selected for presentation and publication after a rigorous international peer review process. The book is divided into 3 sections, covering artificial intelligence and scientific methodology; systems engineering and analysis: concepts, methods, and applications; and education reform and innovation. Presenting papers which explore and discuss many novel concepts and methodologies contributing to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its applications, the book will be of interest to all those working in the relevant fields.

Computer graphics, multimedia and communications technology are now so much a part of life for most people in the developed world, that doing without them has become almost unthinkable. This book presents 10 papers selected from the 42 papers delivered at the ICCSCT 2023, the 5th International Conference on Computer Systems and Communication Technology, held on 24 and 25 November 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators from around the world to showcase and discuss the latest innovations, trends, challenges, and solutions in the fields of computer systems and engineering, computer graphics and multimedia, and communication technology. Topics are varied, and those covered include: improving mass-gathering management using process-mining techniques; research into monocular-vision target detection and localization under non-orthographic conditions; the use of Python, Owlready and Sparql in processing the words in an ontological model of public political discourse; and the development of a 3D visualization-training system for switch-room safety procedures. Offering a varied overview of some of the recent developments and innovations in computer systems and engineering, computer graphics and multimedia, and communication technology, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

A reliable and sustainable energy supply is a prerequisite for any stable and prosperous society, and the volatility of international supply chains, coupled with the increasing threat of a global climate crisis, mean that developing and maintaining efficient and dependable energy systems for the future is more important than ever. This book presents selected papers from NEFES 2023, the 8th International Conference on New Energy and Future Energy Systems, held from 21 to 24 November 2023 in Matsue, Japan. The conference encompasses a number of different areas, including power system operation, biomass energy, fuel energy, solar energy, thermal energy, energy materials, energy technology, and other related fields. From a total of 84 submissions received, 12 peer-reviewed papers were selected for publication in this book. Ranging widely, from renewable energy policy planning for a low-carbon economy and the impact of lightning-induced wildfires on power systems to the energy supply capacity of micro energy grids and safety design technologies for a sodium-cooled fast reactor, the papers included here offer a fascinating insight into the challenges and solutions encountered in modern energy systems. Covering a wide range of topics related to energy and energy systems, the book will be of interest to all researchers, engineers, and educators working in the field.

Applied intelligence, integrated with software, is an essential enabler for science and the new economy, creating new markets and new directions for a more reliable, flexible and robust society and empowering the exploration of our world in ever more depth. The available software, however, often falls short of expectations, with current methodologies, tools, and techniques still neither robust enough nor sufficiently reliable to adequately serve a constantly changing and evolving market. This proceedings presents 40 papers delivered at SoMeT 24, the 23rd edition of the International Conference on New Trends in Intelligent Software Methodology Tools, and Techniques, held on 24 and 25 September 2024 in Cancun, Mexico. The conference explored new trends and theories, illuminating the direction of developments by discussing issues ranging from research practices to techniques and methodologies and proposing and reporting on the solutions needed for global world business, and this book aims to capture the essence of a new state-of-the-art in software science and its supporting technologies, and to identify the challenges that such technologies will have to master. The 40 papers included here were carefully selected following a thorough review process on the basis of technical soundness, relevance, originality, significance, and clarity, whereby each paper was reviewed by three or four reviewers. The book brings together the work of scholars from the international research community, and will be of interest to all those working in the field of intelligent software methodology, tools, and techniques.

This book presents the proceedings of COMMA 2024, the 10th biennial International Conference on Computational Models of Argument, held from 18 to 20 September 2024 in Hagen, Germany. The COMMA conference series provides a dedicated forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest advancements in this interdisciplinary field, covering basic research, systems and innovative applications and nurturing the steady growth of interest in computational-argumentation research worldwide. A total of 63 submissions was received for the conference, and after a thorough review process 26 were accepted as full papers, with a further 12 accepted as demos accompanied by an extended abstract, and 2 as full papers with accompanying demo, resulting in an acceptance rate of 53% for full papers and 63% for papers and demo abstracts combined. In addition to these 40 papers, extended abstracts of the 3 invited talks are also included here: Semantics in Argumentation: Classifications and Challenges, by Leila Amgoud; Expanding the Scope of Bayesian Argumentation, by Ulrike Hahn; and The Long Road to Trustworthy Natural Language Argumentation, by Serena Villata. The book provides a fascinating overview of current research and innovations, and will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Developments in AI are occurring rapidly, with new applications constantly on the increase, and one of the areas in which interesting developments are always taking place is that of intelligent equipment and special robots. This book presents papers from ICIESR 2023, the 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Equipment and Special Robots, held from 20 to 22 October 2023 in Qingdao, China. The conference series has established a platform for experts, researchers, and students working in related fields to present, exchange, and discuss the latest advances and developments, linking various branches of science and technology. It promotes innovation in, and the application of, intelligent equipment and special robots, and fosters the development of related industries, and this year's conference brought together 180 participants. A total of 206 submissions was received for the conference, of which 185 were selected for peer review, in the course of which they were evaluated for theme, structure, method, content, language, and format. Of these, 80 papers were accepted for presentation and publication, resulting in an acceptance rate of 39%. Topics covered include intelligent detection technology, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, mechatronics technology, and creative and entertaining robots, among others. Providing a current overview of recent developments in the field, the book will be of interest to all those whose work relates to intelligent equipment and special robots.

Science-fiction author William Gibson is famously quoted as saying, “The future is already here – it's just not very evenly distributed.” During the Covid pandemic, telehealth and remote monitoring were elevated from interesting innovations to essential tools in many healthcare systems, but not all countries had the infrastructure necessary to pivot quickly, amply demonstrating the negative consequences of the digital divide. This book presents the proceedings of MedInfo 2023, the 19th World Congress on Medical and Health Informatics, held from 8 – 12 July 2023 in Sydney, Australia. This series of biennial conferences provides a platform for the discussion of applied approaches to data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in health and wellness. The theme and title of MedInfo 2023 was The Future is Accessible, but the digital divide is a major concern for health and care-informatics professionals, whether because of global economic disparities, digital literacy gaps, or limited access to reliable information about health. A total of 935 submissions were received for the conference, of which 228 full papers, 43 student papers and 117 posters were accepted following a thorough peer-review process involving 279 reviewers. Topics covered include: information and knowledge management; quality, safety and outcomes; health data science; human, organizational and social aspects; and global health informatics. Significant advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality, virtual reality, and genomics hold great hope for future healthcare planning, delivery, management, education, evaluation, and research, and this book will be of interest to all those working to not only exploit the benefits of these technologies, but also to identify ways to overcome their associated challenges.

The field of hybrid human-artificial intelligence (HHAI), although primarily driven by developments in AI, also requires fundamentally new approaches and solutions. Multidisciplinary in nature, it calls for collaboration across various research domains, such as AI, HCI, the cognitive and social sciences, philosophy and ethics, and complex systems, to name but a few. This book presents the proceedings of HHAI 2024, the 3rd International Conference on Hybrid Human-Artificial Intelligence, held from 10-14 June 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. The focus of HHAI 2024 was on artificially-intelligent systems that cooperate synergistically, proactively and purposefully with humans, amplifying rather than replacing human intelligence. A total of 62 submissions were received for the main track of the conference, of which 31 were accepted for presentation after a thorough double blind review process. These comprised 9 full papers, 5 blue sky papers, and 17 working papers, making the final acceptance rate for full papers 29%. Acceptance rate across all tracks of the main program was 50%. This book contains all submissions accepted for the main track, as well as the proposals for the Doctoral Consortium and extended abstracts from the Posters and Demos track. Topics covered include human-AI interaction and collaboration; learning, reasoning and planning with humans and machines in the loop; fair, ethical, responsible, and trustworthy AI; societal awareness of AI; and the role of design and compositionality of AI systems in interpretable/collaborative AI, among others. Providing a current overview of research and development, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field and facilitate the ongoing exchange and development of ideas across a range of disciplines.

Smart mobile systems such as microsystems, smart textiles, smart implants, sensor-controlled medical devices, together with related body, local and wide-area networks, are part of the next-generation of health services, and have become important enablers for telemedicine and ubiquitous pervasive health. The multilateral benefits of pHealth technologies offer enormous potential for the improvement of medical quality, for the management of healthcare costs, and perhaps most importantly for improving patient experience. This book presents the proceedings of pHealth2024, the 20th conference in the pHealth series, held in Rende, Italy from 27 – 28 May 2024. The conference series brings together expertise from medical, technological, political, administrative, and social domains, and even from philosophy and linguistics to share and discuss the latest developments in wearable or implantable micro and nano technologies for personalized medicine. The book includes 1 keynote paper, 24 full papers, 8 poster papers and 2 panels from a total of 111 authors from around the world. All submissions were carefully and critically reviewed by at least two independent experts from a country other than the author's home country, and additionally by at least one member of the Scientific Program Committee, a rigorous selective process guaranteeing the high scientific level of the accepted and published papers. Offering a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in personalized medicine, the book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners alike, as well as to all those working in the planning and delivery of healthcare services.

Computers and electronics have become so ubiquitous in daily life that we rarely give them a second thought these days, and even image processing is something else that we now largely take for granted. This book presents the proceedings of IPEC2024, the 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Image Processing, Electronics and Computers, held from 12 to 14 April 2024 in Dalian, China. The aim of the IPEC conferences is to facilitate exchange and collaboration between academic researchers and industry, driving interdisciplinary integration and innovative development in image processing, electronics, and computer engineering. A total of 207 full paper submissions were received for the conference, of which 61 papers were ultimately selected for presentation at the conference and publication here after a rigorous review process which took into account significance, novelty, and technical quality. These are divided into 3 sections: Image Processing; Electronics and Automation; and Computer Application. Topics covered transcend the boundaries of traditional disciplines and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the conference. They include graphics, computer vision, signal and information processing, distributed systems, software information engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and automation and control engineering. The book provides a current overview of the latest developments, and will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts alike. It will be of interest to all those working in the fields of image processing, electronics, and computers.

Human resource management (HRM) has undergone a significant transformation over the years, evolving from a purely administrative function to become a strategic partner in business growth. The concept of disruptive human resource management (DHRM) has emerged in the digital era, blending people, technology, and strategy to reshape organizational landscapes. At the heart of disruptive HRM lies an emphasis on people, with employees no longer viewed as merely a resource, but recognized as a valuable asset capable of driving innovation and growth. This book presents the proceedings of DHRM 2024, the International Conference on Disruptive Human Resource Management, held on 13 and 14 January 2024 in Bhubaneswar, India. The objective of the conference was to provide a platform for researchers and policy makers to discuss emerging, disruptive technologies in HR and people analytics. The book is divided into 3 sections. The first, contains 18 papers on human capital with technical space; the category that forms the backbone of DHRM. The second section covers business strategy, and presents 10 papers. The final section contains 11 papers dedicated to people management, and includes topics such as the application of big data analysis and prediction in hotel room pricing and the design and implementation of an intelligent question-answering robot based on DCU and ChatGLM6B models. Aligning people practices with business strategies can drive innovation, improve competitiveness, and create sustainable value, and this book will be invaluable to all those working in HR with an interest in disruptive human-resource management.

In its broadest sense, artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence exhibited by machines; computer systems in particular. Founded as an academic discipline in 1956, it was not until 2012, when deep learning outperformed previous AI techniques, that interest and investment increased enormously, ultimately leading to the situation today where it is sometimes hard for us to imagine a life without AI. This book presents the proceedings of CCIA2024, the 26th edition of the International Conference of the Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence, held from 2 – 4 October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The CCIA conferences now serve as a forum to bring together participants working on AI research from around the world. A total of 68 papers was received for the conference, and this book contains 26 long papers, 19 short papers, and 4 long abstracts (49 papers) which were ultimately accepted following a thorough peer review process, resulting in an acceptance rate of 72%. These are divided into 5 sections: machine learning and deep learning applications; natural language processing (NLP); artificial intelligence ethics and decision support systems; robotics and autonomous systems; and specialized applications of AI, and cover a wide range of AI domains, such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, data science, and reinforcement learning. Critical AI applications across a number of fields are explored, including healthcare, smart services, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing, and topics such as the ethical considerations of AI, voice cloning, and decision-making support systems are also examined. Providing a current overview of new developments and ideas, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field of AI development.

The use of biomedical informatics and other advanced technologies have become increasingly important in the effort to promote health and wellbeing for all. This book presents the proceedings of GMDS 2024, the 69th conference of the German Society of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, held from 8 – 11 September 2024, in Dresden, Germany. The theme of GMDS 2024 was Health - thinking, researching, acting together, and the conference provided a platform for leading professionals in the fields of biomedical informatics, biometrics, epidemiology, social medicine & prevention, medical sociology and public health to present the latest developments and research in the field. Of the 79 full papers submitted for the conference, 40 were ultimately selected for presentation and publication here following a rigorous review process, an acceptance rate of 51%. The 40 papers are grouped under 9 section headings: healthcare IT systems; research infrastructure for biomedical research - FAIRification of medical data; study and data management; interoperability - standards, classifications, terminologies; knowledge representation; clinical decision support systems (CDSS),machine learning, artificial intelligence and large language models; machine learning and privacy; medical sociotechnical systems, human factors, usability; and imaging. Presenting some of the latest developments in preventive and curative healthcare and science, the book will be of interest to healthcare professionals everywhere.

Semantic systems encompass a variety of technologies that play a fundamental role in our daily lives, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, knowledge graphs and ontology engineering, and enterprise vocabulary management. This book presents the proceedings of SEMANTiCS 2024, the 20th International Conference on Semantic Systems, held from 17 to 19 September 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conference has become recognized as important international event providing a regular opportunity for professionals and researchers actively engaged in harnessing the power of semantic computing and artificial intelligence to gather and discuss the possibilities and practical limitations of various transformative technologies. These include semantic web and artificial intelligence, as well as areas such as data science, machine learning, logic programming, content engineering, social computing, natural language processing, digital humanities, and many more. A total of 95 submissions were received for the conference. These were subjected to a double-anonymous peer review process, with a minimum of 3 independent reviews for each submission, after which 26 papers were accepted for presentation and publication, representing an acceptance rate of 27%. The papers are divided into 6 sections: knowledge engineering with large language models; embeddings and machine learning on knowledge graphs; ontologies and knowledge graphs; linked data management; question answering and querying systems; and digital humanities and cultural heritage. Providing an overview of emerging trends and themes within the vast field of semantic computing and artificial intelligence, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

There is a global shortage of personnel in the healthcare workforce, a situation which seems unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future, and it is vital that approaches and innovations are found to mitigate the negative impact of these shortages on healthcare. The WHO has a global strategy for digital health, the success of which depends, to a great extent, on state-of-the-art health-information technology and the outcomes of health-informatics research. This book presents the proceedings of MIE2024, the 34th Medical Informatics Europe Conference, held from 25 - 29 August 2024 in Athens, Greece. The theme of MIE2024 was Digital Health and Informatics Innovations for Sustainable Healthcare Systems. Nearly 700 submissions were received for the conference. A thorough review process was conducted, following which a total of 341 full papers, were accepted from the 494 submitted (an acceptance rate of 69%), together with 64 short communication papers, 84 posters, 6 demonstrations, 13 panels, 12 workshops, and 2 tutorials. All accepted full papers, short communication papers and posters are included in these proceedings. Topics covered include databases, user-centred design, information systems, usability, privacy, security, secondary use of health data, data integration, interoperability, and standardisation, as well as clinical guidelines, AI and xAI, decision support, pattern recognition, medical imaging, natural language processing, deep learning, doctor-chatbot interaction, health literacy, and education. Offering a broad overview of the technology which promises to improve population health and access to healthcare delivery, the book will be of interest to healthcare professionals everywhere.

Automation has been ubiquitous in our lives for many years now, but advances in artificial intelligence have added a new dimension to control systems, and innovative developments are constantly emerging. This book presents the proceedings of MEAAC2024, the 2nd International Conference on Mechanics, Electronics, Automation and Automatic Control, held from 15 - 17 June 2024 in Ordos, China. The MEAAC conference series focuses on research and application challenges, and is dedicated to the promotion of academic exchange within and across disciplines, as well as to addressing theoretical and practical challenges and advancing current understanding and application. It also aims to establish connections and enable future collaboration. MEAAC2024 hosted around 100 attendees from home and abroad. A total of 61 papers were submitted for the conference, and an initial selection process resulted in 43 papers being sent for peer review, after which 34 papers were ultimately selected for presentation and publication, an acceptance rate of 56%. The book is divided into 3 sections: electrical engineering (6 papers), control engineering (8 papers), and mechanical engineering (20 papers). Topics covered include machinery manufacturing and measurement, mechatronics, electric power systems, and computers and artificial intelligence in control. Providing an up to date overview of current developments, the book will be of interest to all those working in the fields of mechanics, electronics, automation and automatic control.

Communication is the cornerstone of effective healthcare, and the digital age has ushered in new paradigms for professional collaboration. Digital tools have revolutionized how healthcare providers, academics, industries, caregivers, and patients interact, enhancing workflows, promoting teamwork, and leading to better health outcomes. This book presents the proceedings of EFMI STC 2024, the 23rd European Federation for Medical Informatics Special Topic Conference, held from 27 to 29 November 2024, in Timisoara, Romania. The theme of the conference was Collaboration across Disciplines for the Health of People, Animals and Ecosystems, and its aim was to provide each participant with the opportunity to contribute to the breaking down of silos and geographic borders and the creation of a cohesive environment. In total, 86 full papers were submitted for the conference, of which 52 were ultimately selected for presentation and publication after a thorough peer review process, resulting in an acceptance rate of 60%. The papers are divided into four sections: One Digital health and climate change; health informatics education and interprofessional collaboration; healthcare information systems; and health data science and analytics. Topics covered include integration of data; digital communication and collaboration; new paradigms and tools in healthcare education; integration of technologies into the doctor-patient relationship; healthcare information systems for people and animals; and human aspects in digital health. Providing a comprehensive overview of the ways in which information technology is changing healthcare worldwide, the book will be of interest to all those working towards the shaping of a healthier future.

The field of AI has grown enormously since 1974, when a summer conference on Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour was held in Brighton, UK. This milestone in the history of AI has since come to be thought of as the 1st European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI). This book presents the proceedings of ECAI-2024, the 27th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence. This 50th-anniversary edition of the conference, with the theme of celebrating the past and inspiring the future, was held from 19 to 24 October 2024 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Included here are 544 Main Track papers (selected from 2,344 submissions, acceptance rate 23%), and 18 Demo Track papers (57 submissions, acceptance rate 32%). These cover all areas of AI, including planning, search, constraints, satisfiability, knowledge representation, uncertainty, data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, multiagent systems, and robotics. Multi-disciplinary aspects such as the interplay between humans and machines, fairness, ethics, and trust are also covered. Also included in the book are eight invited papers on Frontiers in AI and the abstracts of 14 recently-published journal papers not previously presented at a conference with archival proceedings. ECAI-2024 was held concurrently with PAIS-2024, the 13th edition of the Conference on Prestigious Applications of Intelligent Systems, and the peer reviewed papers accepted for presentation at PAIS (35 papers from 71 submissions, acceptance rate 49%) also form part of this book. Offering a comprehensive overview of recent research and developments in AI, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Universal design, inclusive design, design for all, innovation for all, and accessibility are some of the concepts aimed at making products, environments, and services usable and accessible for diverse users, regardless of ability, age, or background. While these terms imply common goals, they each offer distinct approaches to creating inclusive solutions. This book presents the proceedings of UD2024, the 7th International Conference on Universal Design, held from 20 to 22 November 2024 in Oslo, Norway. Although this UD conference series uses the term universal design, it also welcomes researchers and practitioners from the other disciplines designing for diverse user groups in the hope that this will result in a wider spectrum of viewpoints, and will help to unite these various approaches to advance the field. A total of 97 scientific papers were submitted to the conference, of which 60 were accepted for publication after a rigorous, 2 stage, peer review process. These 60 papers are grouped into 11 sections, covering theory and policy perspectives; co-design, community engagement, design methods and tools; universal design for health, wellbeing and equity; universal design and education; universal design in the built environment; architecture, sustainability and design tools; urban planning and navigation; universal design and transport; inclusive tourism and cultural heritage; universal design of ICT, digital accessibility and inclusion; and AI and XR. The book integrates knowledge and perspectives from users, practitioners, researchers, experts and policy makers, and will be of interest to all those working in the field of inclusive design.

Combining the principles of innovative design with the application of intelligent manufacturing technologies brings significant benefits for production and product development and offers the possibility of achieving a more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing industry. This book presents the proceedings of IDIM 2024, the 2024 International Conference on Innovative Design and Intelligent Manufacturing, held on 20 and 21 July 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. The aim of the IDIM conference is to gather scholars, experts, and industry professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in the fields of innovative design and intelligent manufacturing. The focus is on interdisciplinary intersections and exploring how design innovation and intelligent manufacturing technologies can drive industrial progress and societal development. A total of 369 submissions were received for the conference. All papers were reviewed by between 2 and 4 independent experts, and based on the reviewer's comments 127 papers were eventually accepted for presentation at the conference and publication in this book, resulting in an acceptance rate of 34%. Topics covered include digitization and automation in manufacturing processes; smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0; additive manufacturing and 3D printing; smart sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT); innovative design and user experience; human-machine collaboration and interfaces; sustainable manufacturing; and environmental technologies. Combining creative thinking with advanced technology, the book offers an overview of developments in the merging fields of innovative design and intelligent manufacturing, and will be of interest to all those working at the cutting edge of manufacturing technology.

Knowledge and expertise are constantly advancing in material science technology and engineering applications, and it is vital for those whose work involves the use of such technology to keep abreast of recent developments. This book presents the proceedings of MMSE 2024, the 10th International Conference on Advances in Machinery, Material Science and Engineering Application, held on 27 and 28 July in Paris, France. The aim of the MMSE conferences is to address current and future challenges, as well as promoting international exchange and cooperation by establishing connections between participants from various countries. A total of 288 submissions were received for the conference, of which 130 papers were ultimately selected after a thorough peer review process, representing an acceptance rate of approximately 45%. The papers are divided into 7 sections: mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing technology; advanced materials science and engineering; mechanics, simulation and modeling in engineering; electronic, electrical and automation applications; civil and hydraulic engineering; chemistry and energy; and emerging industrial applications and interdisciplinary technology. Topics covered include mechanical design, advanced manufacturing technology, applied mechanics, fatigue and creep of materials, corrosion, coatings, electrical power, electronic techniques; energy storage, automation and control systems design, robots, shock and vibration, simulation and modeling, machine vision, object detection, failure analysis, chemical, marine and structural engineering, electro-optical and autonomous driving technologies, emerging industrial applications and interdisciplinary technology. Covering a wide range of topics, the book offers an overview of current developments and applications and will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Mechatronics and automation technology has led to technological change and innovation in all engineering fields, affecting various disciplines, including machine technology, electronics, and computing. It plays a vital role in improving production efficiency, reducing energy consumption and improving product quality and safety, and will be central to the further advancement of technology and industry, bringing convenience and innovation to even more areas. This book presents the proceedings of ICMAT 2023, the 2nd International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation Technology, held as a virtual event on 27 October 2023. The aim of the conference was to provide a platform for scientists, scholars, engineers and researchers from universities and scientific institutes around the world to share the latest research achievements in mechatronics and automation technology, explore key challenges and research directions, and promote the development and application of theory and technology in this field. A total of 121 submissions were received for the conference, of which 77 were ultimately accepted after a rigorous peer-review process. The papers cover a wide range of topics falling within the scope of mechatronics and automation technology, including smart manufacturing; digital manufacturing; additive manufacturing; robotics; sensors; control; electronic and electrical engineering; intelligent systems; and automation technology, as well as other related fields. Providing an overview of recent developments in mechatronics and automation technology, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

The accelerating pace at which quantum computing is developing makes it almost inevitable that some of the major cryptographic algorithms and protocols we rely on daily, for everything from internet shopping to running our critical infrastructure, may be compromised in the coming years. This book presents 11 papers from the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography, hosted in Malta in November 2021. The workshop set out to understand and reconcile two seemingly divergent points of view on post-quantum cryptography and secure communication: would it be better to deploy post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms or quantum key distribution (QKD)? The workshop brought these two communities together to work towards a future in which the two technologies are seen as complementary solutions to secure communication systems at both a hardware (QKD) and software (PQC) level, rather than being in competition with each other. Subjects include the education of an adequate workforce and the challenges of adjusting university curricula for the quantum age; whether PQC and QKD are both required to enable a quantum-safe future and the case for hybrid approaches; and technical aspects of implementing quantum-secure communication systems. The efforts of two NATO nations to address the possible emergence of cryptanalytically-relevant quantum computers are explored, as are two cryptographic applications which go beyond the basic goal of securing two-party communication in a post-quantum world. The book includes economic and broader societal perspectives as well as the strictly technical, and adds a helpful, new contribution to this conversation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an inescapable part of modern life, and the fact that AI technologies and applications will inevitably bring about significant changes in many industries and economies worldwide means that this field of research is currently attracting great interest. This book presents the proceedings of ICAITA 2023, the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Applications, held as a hybrid event from 30 June to 2 July 2023 in Changchun, China. The conference provided an international forum for academic communication between experts and scholars in the field of AI, promoting the interchange of scientific information between participants and establishing connections which may lead to collaboration, research, and development activities in related fields. The 126 papers included here were selected following a thorough review process and are divided into 4 sections, covering AI simulation and mechatronics; intelligent network architecture and system monitoring; intelligent algorithm modeling and numerical analysis; and intelligent graph recognition and information processing. Topics addressed include artificial neural networks, computational theories of learning, intelligent system architectures, pervasive computing and ambient intelligence, and fuzzy logic and methods. Covering a wide range of topics and applications current in AI research, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

With the advent and development of AI and other new technologies, traffic and transportation have changed enormously in recent years, and the need for more environmentally-friendly solutions is also driving innovation in these fields. This book presents the proceedings of ICITT 2023, the 7th International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation, held from 18-20 September 2023 in Madrid, Spain. This annual conference is becoming one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental advances in the fields of intelligent traffic and transportation. It also serves to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas with a common interest in intelligent traffic and transportation and related techniques. ICITT welcomes scholars and researchers from all over the world to share experiences and lessons with other enthusiasts, and develop opportunities for cooperation. The 27 papers included here represent an acceptance rate of 64% of submissions received, and were selected following a rigorous review process. Topics covered include autonomous technology; industrial automation; artificial intelligence; machine, deep and cognitive learning; distributed networking; transportation in future smart cities; hybrid vehicle technology; mobility; cyber-physical systems; design and cost engineering; enterprise information management; product design; intelligent automation; ICT-enabled collaborative global manufacturing; knowledge management; product-service systems; optimization; product lifecycle management; sustainable systems; machine vision; Industry 4.0; and navigation systems. Offering an overview of recent research and current practice, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

FOIS is the flagship conference of the International Association for Ontology and its Applications, a non-profit organization which promotes interdisciplinary research and international collaboration at the intersection of philosophical ontology, linguistics, logic, cognitive science, and computer science. This book presents the papers delivered at FOIS 2023, the 13th edition of the Formal Ontology in Information Systems conference. The event was held as a sequentially-hybrid event, face-to-face in Sherbrooke, Canada, from 17 to 20 July 2023, and online from 18 to 20 September 2023. In total, 62 articles from 19 different countries were submitted, out of which 25 were accepted for inclusion in the conference and for publication; corresponding to an acceptance rate of 40 percent. The contributions are separated into the book's three sections: (1) Foundational ontological issues; (2) Methodological issues around the development, alignment, verification and use of ontologies; and (3) Domain ontologies and ontology-based applications. In these sections, ontological aspects from a wide variety of fields are covered, primarily from various engineering domains including cybersecurity, manufacturing, petroleum engineering, and robotics, but also extending to the humanities, social sciences, medicine, and dentistry. A noticeable trend among the contributions in this edition of the conference is the recognition that improving the tools to analyze, align, and improve ontologies is of paramount importance in continuing to advance the field of formal ontology. The book will be of interest to all formal and applied ontology researchers, and to those who use formal ontologies and information systems as part of their work.

It is hard to imagine a world without electronic communication networks, so dependent have we all become on the networks which now exist and have become part of the fabric of our daily lives. This book presents papers from CECNet 2023, the 13th International Conference on Electronics, Communications and Networks, held as a hybrid event, in person in Macau, China and online via Microsoft Teams, from 17-20 November 2023. This annual conference provides a comprehensive, global forum for experts and participants from academia to exchange ideas and present the results of ongoing research in state-of-the-art areas of electronics technology, communications engineering and technology, wireless communications engineering and technology, and computer engineering and technology. A total of 324 submissions were received for the conference, and those which qualified by virtue of falling under the scope of the conference topics were exhaustively reviewed by program committee members and peer-reviewers, taking into account the breadth and depth of the relevant research topics. The 101 selected contributions included in this book present innovative, original ideas or results of general significance, supported by clear and rigorous reasoning and compelling new light in both evidence and method. Subjects covered divide broadly into 3 categories: electronics technology and VLSI, internet technology and signal processing, and information communication and communication networks. Providing an overview of current research and developments in these rapidly evolving fields, the book will be of interest to all those working with digital communications networks.

Maritime infrastructures are fundamental to the working of societies and economies. They play a crucial role in supply, with 90% of commercial trade exchanges carried out worldwide handled by the maritime industry, in the functioning of the economy, the maintenance of mobility and the deployment of renewable energies. For the past decade, the attention of developed democratic nations has been focused on the protection of vital terrestrial objects, but less attention has been paid to critical maritime infrastructures and the need to increase their resilience. This book, Modern Technologies Enabling Innovative Methods for Maritime Monitoring and Strengthening Resilience in Maritime Critical Infrastructures, presents 23 papers delivered at the NATO Advanced Training Course (ATC) hosted in hybrid format from 15-20 January 2024 in Agadir, Morocco. The aim of the ATC was to cover the problem of monitoring critical maritime infrastructure in an interdisciplinary manner, and it was attended by researchers and students, security officers, stakeholders, and experts in tackling terrorism or other violent threats. The ATC was divided into 4 blocks: general aspects of strengthening the resilience of maritime critical infrastructure; unmanned systems (USs) and sensor network technology; monitoring, data analysis and structural modeling; and cybersecurity and protection of IT maritime infrastructures. There was also one practical session. The book covers many ways in which unmanned systems, sensor networks and other digital technologies can be used to monitor threats to maritime critical infrastructure, and will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Electronic engineering and informatics are disciplines which underpin the complex digital technology on which we have all now come to depend. This book presents the proceedings of ICEEI 2023, the 5th International Conference on Electronic Engineering and Informatics, which took place as a hybrid event from 23 to 25 June 2023 in Wuhan, China, with around 150 participating delegates. The conference brought together leading academics, researchers and practitioners from around the world to present recent innovations, trends, and concerns, and discuss practical challenges and solutions. It also gave delegates the opportunity to share their experience and research results and exchange views on all aspects of electronic engineering and informatics. A total of 266 submissions were received for the conference, of which 93 were accepted for presentation and publication after a careful double-blind peer review process. The papers are divided into 3 sections, covering electronic device simulation and system modelling; target recognition and information decision making; and network data processing and security detection. Providing a current overview of advances and research results in the relevant fields, the book will be of interest to those working in all areas of electronic engineering and informatics.

There is no denying the increasing importance of AI and human-computer interaction for societies worldwide. The potential for good in these fields is undeniable, but the challenges which arise during research and in practice must be carefully managed if this potential for good is to be realized without harm. This book presents the proceedings of ArtInHCI2023, the 1st International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction, held as an online event from 27-28 October 2023, and attended by around 70 participants from around the world. The aim of the conference was to promote academic exchange within and across disciplines, addressing theoretical and practical challenges and advancing current understanding and application. A total of 72 submissions were received for the conference, of which 41 were selected for presentation and publication following a thorough peer review process, resulting in an acceptance rate of 57%. Topics covered included deep learning, artificial neural networks, computer vision and pattern recognition and papers were focused on the challenges of research as well as application. Providing a fascinating overview of developments and innovation in the field, the book will be of interest to all those working with AI or human-computer interaction.

Collaboration between those working in product development and production is essential for successful product realization. The Swedish Production Academy (SPA) was founded in 2006 with the aim of driving and developing production research and higher education in Sweden, and increasing national cooperation in research and education within the area of production. This book presents the proceedings of SPS2024, the 11th Swedish Production Symposium, held from 23 to 26 April 2024 in Trollhättan, Sweden. The conference provided a platform for SPA members, as well as for professionals from industry and academia interested in production research and education from around the world, to share insights and ideas. The title and overarching theme of SPS2024 was Sustainable Production through Advanced Manufacturing, Intelligent Automation and Work Integrated Learning, and the conference emphasized stakeholder value, the societal role of industry, worker wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, in alignment with the European Commission's vision for the future of manufacturing. The 59 papers included here were accepted for publication and presentation at the symposium after a thorough review process. They are divided into 6 sections reflecting the thematic areas of the conference, which were: sustainable manufacturing, smart production and automation, digitalization for efficient product realization, circular production, industrial transformation for sustainability, and the integration of education and research. Highlighting the latest developments and advances in automation and sustainable production, the book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

The integration of technology has become key to improving patient outcomes, optimizing clinical workflows, and expanding access to healthcare. The use of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT is becoming more familiar and acceptable to users, and a number of research groups are now exploring the use of LLMs for various healthcare purposes. The next few years will show to what extent the huge expectations raised by LLMs will be met, and which classical health IT areas will survive this technological transformation. This book presents the proceedings of dHealth 2024, the 18th annual conference on Health Informatics meets Digital Health, held on 7th & 8th May 2024 in Vienna, Austria. The dHealth conference series aims to provide insight into the research and application of up-to-date health IT solutions. Attracting around 300 participants each year, the series provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, decision makers and vendors to discuss innovative health informatics and eHealth solutions aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare by means of digital technology. The book includes 42 papers delivered at the conference. Topics range from the adoption of emerging technologies like LLMs, telemedicine and cloud computing, to the ethical, legal, social, and economic implications of health IT. The book provides an up-to-date overview of ongoing research in health IT which will contribute to shaping the future of healthcare delivery, advancing digital health, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring equitable access to quality care for all, and will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Intelligent Environments (IEs) enhance physical spaces, integrating technologies from areas such as information and communication, sensing and actuating, artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-computer interfaces. IEs can also be integrated with advanced computational models such as deep learning and large language models. They improve and enrich user activities, enable the effective management of environmental features, and foster awareness of the capabilities of the various technologies, enhancing healthcare and well-being and ensuring reliability and privacy. This book presents the combined proceedings of the Workshops and Demos & Videos Session at IE 2024, the 20th International Conference on Intelligent Environments, which took place from 17 to 20 June 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The conference provides an opportunity for the multidisciplinary research community dedicated to IEs to come together and explore foundational concepts and core ideas across various contexts, and to address critical challenges. This year's conference included the following workshops: WISHWell 2024, the 13th International Workshop on Intelligent Environments Supporting Healthcare and Well-being; WoRIE 2024, the 13th International Workshop on the Reliability of Intelligent Environments; and ALLEGET 2024, the 4th International Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Emerging Topics. The book includes 5 papers from WISHWell, 6 from WoRIE, and 5 from ALLEGET. These were selected for presentation and publication from the significant number of submissions received following a thorough review process. The book also includes two submissions from the demos & videos session. Providing a wide-ranging overview of recent developments and ideas, the book will be of interest to all those working with intelligent environments.

The way most of us live today would be unthinkable without a reliable power supply and the appliances and devices which depend upon it, but increased awareness and concern about the climate has meant that the energy sources from which that power is derived have also become a focus of attention. This book presents the proceedings of CPEEE 2024, the 14th International Conference on Power, Energy and Electrical Engineering, held from 24 to 26 February 2024 as a hybrid event in Tokyo, Japan. The CPEEE conferences aim to provide a scientific platform for scientists, engineers and technologists working in all areas of power, energy and electrical engineering to share the latest knowledge and findings and to explore and discuss all aspects of power, energy, electrical engineering and related fields. The 2024 CPEEE conference consisted of 8 oral sessions (6 offline and 2 online). The 57 papers included here, which were selected following a thorough review process, cover a variety of topics, including the optimized configuration of distribution networks; status monitoring and reliability evaluation of power equipment; operational safety and energy consumption analysis of intelligent electrical equipment; development of electric vehicles and the construction of charging facilities; photovoltaic modules and power generation systems; clean energy generation and electricity storage; and intelligent power systems and electronics technology. Providing an overview of current developments in the fields of power, energy and electrical engineering, the book will help to stimulate increased collaboration among researchers and facilitate the exploration of novel cross-disciplinary ideas.

Rapid urbanization, increased traffic congestion, and pressing environmental concerns have all led to growing interest in the fields of intelligent transportation and smart cities, as major urban centers around the world confront the challenge of and demand for efficient and sustainable transportation systems. This book presents the proceedings of ICITSC2024, the 2024 International Conference on Intelligent Transportation and Smart Cities, held on 7 & 8 March 2024 in Wuhan, China. The conference brings together experts from diverse disciplines, including computer science, urban planning and data science. It serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary discussion, and aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the realm of intelligent transportation and smart cities. This prestigious gathering of researchers, scholars, practitioners, and industry experts explores the dynamic intersection of intelligent transportation systems and the advancement of smart cities, and serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, the sharing of innovative ideas, and the cultivation of collaborations that will shape the future of transportation and urban development. A total of 115 submissions were received for the conference, and after a rigorous double-blind peer review process, 36 papers were accepted for presentation at the conference and publication here. Topics covered include automated guided vehicles; smart community microgrids; urban train timetable optimization; and many more. The book will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry professionals, inspiring further exploration and collaboration in the pursuit of intelligent, sustainable, and inclusive urban mobility solutions within the context of smart cities.

The use of health information technology is becoming ever more essential for the provision of nursing care globally, and this has resulted in the need to pay more attention to the innovative use of the technology. This book presents the proceedings of NI2024, the 16th International Congress on Nursing Informatics, held from 28 - 31 July 2024 in Manchester, England. This quadrennial international conference provides one of the most important opportunities for healthcare professionals from around the world to gather and exchange expertise in the research and practice of both basic and applied nursing informatics. The theme of NI2024 is innovation in applied nursing informatics, and the book includes all 88 of the full papers presented at the conference, as well as 24 case studies and over 100 poster summaries. Topics cover a wide range of themes, including, applied clinical informatics; education; global health; innovation and entrepreneurship; public health - population health; research and methods; and user-facing technologies. More specifically, some of the topics in focus include generative AI; informatics integration; equity, diversity and inclusion; technological innovations; patient-centered care; data analytics; the burden of documentation; mobile health; and virtual care. These themes and topics highlight the diversity and breadth of research and innovation of nursing informatics, emphasizing the integration of advanced technologies, the enhancement of education and professional development, and the ongoing effort to improve patient care and health outcomes. The book will be of interest to all those working in the field.

Innovation is an important part of material science, and if those working in industries such as engineering are to address the challenges they encounter and adopt appropriate solutions, it is vital that they are able to access new developments and better understand the mechanical behavior of materials under different conditions. This book presents the proceedings of MSAM 2024, the 7th International Conference on Material Strength and Applied Mechanics, held from 29 July to 1 August 2024 in Győr, Hungary. MSAM conferences have become an important annual event, providing a platform for discussion between researchers, scientists, students, and engineers, and an opportunity for participants to present and discuss their latest findings in the fields of material strength and applied mechanics. The book contains the 70 papers presented at the conference. From the 207 submissions received, these were selected for presentation and publication by means of a thorough review process conducted by members of the technical program committee and a panel of invited international reviewers. This represents an acceptance rate of 34%. The book is divided into four parts: strength of materials; applied mechanics; structural mechanics; and biomechanics. Topics covered are of relevance to material science and to the fields of mechanical, automobile, aerospace, civil, and bio engineering, as well as other cross-disciplinary fields. Providing a current overview of research, development, and applications in the fields of material strength and applied mechanics, the book will be of interest to all those involved in related technologies and industries.

Applied mathematics, modeling and computer simulation are central to all scientific research, as well as to the modern technological processes, engineering, and applications which almost all of us depend upon in our daily lives. This book contains the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Applied Mathematics, Modeling and Computer Simulation (AMMCS 2024), held from 17 to 18 August 2024 in Wuhan, China, as a hybrid event. Serving as an open forum for all those involved in any aspect of applied mathematics, modeling or computer simulation, the AMMCS conferences provide the ideal platform for researchers, practitioners and academics to exchange the latest research results and stimulate scientific innovation. The conference received 300 submissions, and after a thorough peer review process, 93 papers were ultimately selected for presentation at the conference and publication here. This represents an acceptance rate of 31%. The book is divided into 7 sections: engineering applications and scientific computations; the simulation of intelligent systems; data mining and soft computing; intelligent computing and simulation technology; mathematical modeling and applications; modeling, simulation and the control of technological processes; and advanced engineering technologies and interdisciplinary sciences, and topics range from the theoretical and conceptual to the strongly pragmatic. Sharing practical experiences and enlightening ideas, the book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners of applied mathematics, modeling and computer simulation everywhere.

The discipline of design studies applies various technologies, from basic theory to application systems, while intelligence engineering encompasses computer-aided industrial design, human-factor design, and greenhouse design, and plays a major part within design science. Intelligence engineering technologies also include topics from theory and application, such as computational technologies, sensing technologies, and video detection. This book presents the proceedings of DSIE2023, the 2023 International Symposium on Design Studies and Intelligence Engineering, held on 28 & 29 October 2023 in Hangzhou, China. The conference provides a platform for professionals and researchers from industry and academia to present and discuss recent advances in the fields of design studies and intelligence engineering. It also fosters cooperation among the organizations and researchers involved in these overlapping fields, and invites internationally renowned professors to further explore these topics in some depth, providing the opportunity for them to discuss the technical presentations with conference participants. In all, 275 submissions were received for the conference, 105 of which were accepted after thorough review by 3 or 4 referees for presentation at the conference and inclusion here. Providing a valuable overview of the latest developments, the book will be of interest to all those working in the fields of design studies and intelligence engineering.

The volume and complexity of information, together with the number of abstraction levels and the size of data and knowledge bases, grow continually. Data originating from diverse sources involves a combination of data from traditional legacy sources and unstructured data requiring backwards modeling, meanwhile, information modeling and knowledge bases have become important contributors to 21st-century academic and industrial research. This book presents the proceedings of EJC 2023, the 33rd International Conference on Information Modeling and Knowledge Bases, held from 5 to 9 June 2023 in Maribor, Slovenia. The aim of the EJC conferences is to bring together experts from different areas of computer science and from other disciplines that share the common interest of understanding and solving the problems of information modeling and knowledge bases and applying the results of research to practice. The conference constitutes a research forum for the exchange of results and experiences by academics and practitioners dealing with information and knowledge bases. The topics covered at EJC 2023 encompass a wide range of themes including conceptual modeling; knowledge and information modeling and discovery; linguistic modeling; cross-cultural communication and social computing; environmental modeling and engineering; and multimedia data modeling and systems. In the spirit of adapting to the changes taking place in these areas of research, the conference was also open to new topics related to its main themes. Providing a current overview of progress in the field, this book will be of interest to all those whose work involves the use of information modeling and knowledge bases.

It is almost 120 years since Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first reported, and the concept of modifiable risk factors associated with the disease has been present from the outset. Thus, the idea of preventing AD is not new, with reference to strategies noted as early as the 1990s. This subfield of AD research has matured in recent years, with the number of modifiable risk factors – the AD preventome – rising from the 7 initially identified to the current 12, with an estimated contribution to dementia cases worldwide of about 40%. This book, the Handbook of Prevention and Alzheimer's Disease, introduces physicians, scientists, and other stakeholders to this subfield of AD research. It investigates the AD preventome, which will continue to expand as the understanding of new factors and related biomarkers is refined. Optimizing this preventome leads to an improvement in overall brain health, an outcome which reduces the risk of developing AD and improves quality of life. The book goes on to examine other domains of prevention, from vascular risk factors to social engagement and from sleep health to spirituality. If the journey to end AD can be likened to a long and arduous challenge, understanding every possible part of the overall toolkit of approaches for disease prevention and intervention is essential. Together with its companion volume on intervention, the book provides a comprehensive overview of strategies for tackling Alzheimer's disease, and will be of interest to all those working in the field. Cover illustration: White matter tracts showing sex differences in connectivity in men versus women as a function of increasing body mass index. Reprinted with permission from Rahmani F, Wang Q, McKay NS, Keefe S, Hantler N, Hornbeck R, Wang Y, Hassenstab J, Schindler S, Xiong C, Morris JC, Benzinger TLS, Raji CA. Sex-Specific Patterns of Body Mass Index Relationship with White Matter Connectivity. J Alzheimers Dis. 2022;86(4):1831-1848. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215329. PMID: 35180116; PMCID: PMC9108572.

In recent years, knowledge graphs (KGs) and ontologies have been widely adopted for modeling many kinds of domain. They are frequently released openly, something which benefits those who are starting new projects, because it offers them a wide choice of ontology reuse and the possibility to link to existing data. Understanding the content of an ontology or a knowledge graph is far from straightforward, however, and existing methods address this issue only partially, while exploring and comparing multiple ontologies can be a tedious manual task. This book, Empirical Ontology Design Patterns, starts from the premise that identifying the Ontology Design Patterns (ODPs) used in an ontology or a knowledge graph will go some way to addressing this problem. Its main focus is to provide tools which will effectively support the task of automatically identifying ODPs in existing ontologies and knowledge graphs. The book analyses the role of ODPs in ontology engineering, placing this analysis in the wider context of existing approaches to ontology reuse and implementation. It introduces a novel method for extracting empirical ontology design patterns (EODPs) from ontologies, and another for extracting EODPs from knowledge graphs whose schemas are implicit. Both methods are applied to ontologies and knowledge graphs frequently adopted and reused, such as Wikidata. The book also offers an ontology which can be used as a basis for annotating ODPs in ontologies and knowledge graphs, whether manually or automatically. The book will be of interest to all those whose work involves the use or reuse of ontologies and knowledge graphs.

The data that must be processed in healthcare includes text, numbers, statistics, and images, and healthcare systems are continuously acquiring novel data from cutting-edge technologies like wearable devices. Semantic intelligence technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the internet of things, together with the hybrid methodologies which combine these approaches, are central to the development of the intelligent, knowledge-based systems now used in healthcare. This book, Roles and Challenges of Semantic Intelligence in Healthcare Cognitive Computing explores those emerging fields of science and technology in which cognitive computing techniques offer the effective solutions poised to impact healthcare in the foreseeable future, minimizing errors and improving the effectiveness of personalized care models. The book assesses the current landscape, and identifies the roles and challenges of integrating cognitive computing techniques into the widespread adoption of innovative smart healthcare solutions. Each chapter is the result of collaboration by experts from various domains, and provides a detailed overview of the potential offered by new technologies in the field. A wide spectrum of topics and emerging trends are covered, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare and cognitive computing and including digital twins, eXplainable AI, AI-based decision-support systems in intensive care, and culinary healthcare, as well as the semantic internet of things (SIoT), natural language processing, and deep learning and graph models. The book presents new ideas which will facilitate collaboration among the different disciplines involved, and will be of interest to all those working in this rapidly evolving field.

The modeling of intelligent behavior has been a central topic for researchers since artificial intelligence emerged as a research field. The use of classical logic in representing the knowledge and beliefs of an intelligent agent implies that inferences remain valid irrespective of additional information, and that the set of conclusions grows monotonically with the amount of available information. In reality, however, decisions must be made and planning actions must be taken in the presence of uncertain and incomplete information, meaning that previously obtained inferences may have to be withdrawn in the light of new information. Nonmonotonic logic provides the means to model such behavior. This book, Nonmonotonic Reasoning with Defeasible Rules on Feasible and Infeasible Worlds, explores the area of nonmonotonic reasoning from conditional belief bases, in which postulates describe desirable properties of nonmonotonic reasoning, and many inference methods, differing in which of these postulates they satisfy, are applied. The author employs the notion of inductive inference operators, which map a belief base (a set of given conditionals) to an inference relation containing all the inferences an agent can draw from the set. Two notions of consistency – weak and strong – are contrasted, and the topic of inductive inference from weakly consistent belief bases is examined. The book addresses the challenging problems of nonmonotonic reasoning from conditional belief bases with convincing and rigorously proven theoretical results, placed in a scientific context. It will be of interest to all those working in the area of logic-based knowledge representation.

With the world facing increasingly serious global climate change and resource scarcity issues, ecology and the environment have received much attention in recent years. As a major factor in human activity, design plays an important part in protecting the environment, as does the role of digital technology in finding solutions to the pressing problems faced in this regard. This book presents the proceedings of ISWED2023, the International Symposium on World Ecological Design, held on 17 December 2023 in Guangzhou, China. Sponsored by the World Eco-Design Conference (a UN Consultative NGO), the conference provides a platform for professionals and researchers from industry and academia to present and discuss recent advances in the field of ecological design. This year, the conference focused on the four topics of digital technology and health, digital technology and transportation, digital technology and energy, and digital technology and the environment. A total of 518 submissions on these topics were received for the conference, of which 125 were accepted for presentation and publication here. Providing a current overview of research and innovation in ecological design around the world, the book will be of interest to all those working in the fields of ecological design and digital-technology integration.

The Enrico Fermi Schools, a cultural initiative promoted by the Italian Physical Society (SIF), were initiated in 1953 in a period that marked the beginnings of what is now called cosmic ray astrophysics. Indeed, the very first edition of the School focused on the contribution of cosmic ray physics to the laws of elementary particle physics. Almost seventy years later, another School has been focusing on the foundations of cosmic ray astrophysics, and this book contains the lectures presented as Course 208 of the prestigious International School of Physics Enrico Fermi, Foundations of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics, held in Varenna, Italy from 23 to 29 June 2022. Topics covered in the book range from particle acceleration to cosmic ray transport, and from radiation processes to feedback of cosmic rays in galaxy formation. In particular, a thorough description of the physics of cosmic ray transport in turbulent magnetic fields, and of the production of magnetic perturbations in the presence of cosmic ray gradients is provided, both these phenomena being essential in describing particle acceleration at shocks and the transport of cosmic rays within the galaxy. The transport of cosmic rays in different environments is also discussed. This area of research has received an extraordinary boost in recent times, thanks to the now unprecedented accuracy of observations, and to the possibility of testing new ideas and complex scenarios offered by recent developments in numerical simulation, and the book will be of interest to all those working in the field of high energy astrophysics.

Digital health technologies could change the trajectory of current healthcare systems and make them more proactive. Advanced predictive technologies have now become available which make this more possible than ever before, but it will not happen without improved policies, regulations, and governance of our systems. Health informatics must operate at the macro level if it is to provide policymakers and other stakeholders with the information they need to better allocate resources and intervene more effectively. This book presents the proceedings of FHLIP, the Future of Health Leadership, Informatics, and Policy Conference, held on 22 February 2024 in Toronto, Canada. The conference aimed to catalyze the development of proactive, innovative digital-health solutions capable of addressing the ever-evolving challenges faced by the healthcare sector, and lay the groundwork for a more resilient, patient-centered healthcare ecosystem. It provided a platform for stakeholders to identify challenges, question assumptions, and better understand the roles of policymakers and vendors. The conference received a total of 26 submissions, of which 19 were selected for presentation at the conference and publication here after a thorough review process. Topics covered included interoperability and governance, regulation of electronic medical records, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, scaling up use of artificial intelligence and the design of health system level architectures for large scale interventions. The book looks forward to a future where digital health makes contributions beyond the provider and patient level and will be of great interest to not only those working in the field of health informatics and digital health, but also to digital leaders and policy makers interested in taking their healthcare systems From Reactive to Proactive.