William Hurst

• BSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA
• Professor (Associate) at Wageningen University & Research

The introduction of electronic health records (EHR) has created new opportunities for efficient patient data management. For example, preventative medical practice, rather than reactive, is possible through the integration of machine learning to mine digital patient record datasets. Furthermore, within the wider smart cities’ infrastructure, EHR ha...

The agricultural domain is experiencing an increasing use of digital twin technologies in greenhouse horticulture for the betterment of monitoring production. Research in this domain has started leading towards more advanced ways of visually interacting with these digital twins, and this could be by means of immersive technologies (such as virtual...

Virtual Reality (VR) involves the coupling of visual communication hardware and software. The technology is capable of offering transformative educational practice and is increasingly being adopted within the biochemistry domain to better understand complex biochemical processes. This article documents a pilot study for the efficacy of VR in bioche...

As a concept that is somewhat under emergence, the notion of the Metaverse varies across different academic articles. Yet there is a shared view on the benefits to its ongoing implementation, particularly for digital art, where the technology can provide a new metric for artists to showcase and sell their artwork to a global audience with minimal b...

Purpose Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are reshaping art markets and gaining strong stakeholder interest. While research has examined their applications in art ecosystems, their role in advancing Web3D markets remains unclear. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the impact of NFTs on the Web3D market...

The digital transformation of the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) sector is a multifaceted process that must address a range of requirements and critical challenges, such as traceability, long-term preservation, and sustainability. The potential of disruptive technologies to revolutionize this sector is significant, offering new...

The DigiFungi serious game focuses on edutainment for button mushroom cultivation but with the extensibility to be adapted for digital twin applications. DigiFungi is designed to simulate intermediate processes and core activities related to growing button mushrooms species, namely spawn making, substrate preparation, inocu- lation of substrate wit...

The importance of image encryption has considerably increased, especially after the dramatic evolution of the internet and network communications, due to the simplicity of capturing and transferring digital images. Although there are several encryption approaches, chaos-based image encryption is considered the most appropriate approach for image ap...

The notion of the smart city involves embedding Industry 4.0 technologies to improve the lives of inhabitants in urban environments. Within this context, smart city data layers (SCDLs) concern the integration of extra tiers of information for the purposes of improving communication potential. Under the Industry 4.0 technology grouping, advanced com...

In a controlled network environment, such as the smart indoor manufacturing environment, the device identification and detection of components is challenging without prior knowledge of the design and implementation process. Thus, the concept of device identification for diagnosis and equipment maintenance by means of markerless augmented reality (A...

This study explores the distressing consequences of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for the older population, including stress, anxiety, depression, and dementia risks. It investigates virtual reality (VR) and electrodermal activity (EDA) applications to alleviate MCI symptoms and gain insights into its progression. The study covers MCI's systemic...

Digital Twins are digital equivalents of real-life objects. They allow producers to act immediately in case of (expected) deviations and to simulate effects of interventions based on real-life data. Digital Twin and eXtended Reality technologies (including Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality technologies), when coupled, are promisi...

The purpose of this study is to examine the reported architectural approaches and governance mechanisms for digital business ecosystems (DBEs). A systematic literature review is employed, in which 92 relevant articles are selected for analysis. This study provides an overview of articles, reports the formal modeling notations, modeling viewpoints,...

It is increasingly recognized that community-based interventions for active ageing are more lasting and effective, yet the tools and methods for developing these interventions are lacking. This study investigates how to co-design community-based active ageing with older adults via the development of a toolkit to support this goal. Rapid reviews wer...

Digital twin (DT) is one of the key concepts of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). A DT is a data-driven, digital replica of a real-world object or environment, including all the states and behaviour of the real-life counterpart. Based on research across multiple domains, DTs show great potential to improve both efficiency and sustain...

In the field of healthcare, as well as many others, textual descriptions of events are logged. With the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP), these texts are used to train event prediction machine learning algorithms. In this review the aim was to assess the state-of-the-art within current literature concerning prediction of events on textual r...

Food waste is a significant challenge, and our societal behaviours play a role in the amount of food items discarded. Thus, an effective method to inform consumers about high wastage patterns may help reduce the amount thrown away. This research investigates how Augmented Reality can be harnessed to enlighten consumers and work towards addressing h...

In recent years, technological advancements including computational capabilities have rapidly increased. This advancement has led to the feasibility of developing advanced technological applications through the integration of Augmented Reality. This article presents an optimal model and application utilising Augmented Reality, Simultaneous Location...

This article focuses on insider-threat detection within healthcare infrastructures. There are inherent dangers to digitising patient records and considering the sensitive nature of the data, EHR is equally at risk of both external threats and insider attacks, but security applications are predominantly facing the outer boundary of the network. In t...

By 2050, according to the UN medium forecast, 68.6% of the world’s population will live in cities. This growth will place a strain on critical infrastructure distribution networks, which already operate in a state that is complex and intertwined within society. In order to create a sustainable society, there needs to be a change in both societal be...

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced a change in the way people work, and the location that they work from. The impact has caused significant disruption to education, the work environment and how social interactions take place. Online user habits have also changed due to lockdown restrictions and virtual conferencing software has become a vital cog in...

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a definition of the diagnosis of early memory loss and disorientation. This study aims to identify people's symptoms through technology. However, machine learning (ML) can classify Cognitive Normal (CN) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Early Mild Cognitive Impairment (EMCI) using standard assessments from t...

The amount of arable land is limited, yet the demand for agricultural food products is increasing. This issue has led to the notion of precision farming, where smart city-based technologies (e.g., Internet of Things, digital twins, artificial intelligence) are employed in combination to cater for increased production with fewer resources. Widely us...

Ever since the emergence of Industry 4.0 as the synonymous term for the fourth industrial revolution, its applications have been widely discussed and used in many business scenarios. This concept is derived from the advantages of internet and technology, and it describes the efficient synchronicity of humans and computers in smart factories. By lev...

Time-based smart home controllers govern their environment with a predefined routine, without knowing if this is the most efficient way. Finding a suitable model to predict energy consumption could prove to be an optimal method to manage the electricity usage. The work presented in this paper outlines the development of a prediction model that cont...

This paper proposes a novel passenger car equivalent and capacity estimation methods that determine the effect of deceleration and acceleration performance of heavy goods vehicles on the traffic flow and estimate the capacity to facilitate rescheduling container carriers. The development of the new methods considers the driver’s perception of time...

Carbon emission is a prominent issue, and smart urban solutions have the technological capabilities to implement change. The technologies for creating smart energy systems already exist, some of which are currently under wide deployment globally. By investing in energy efficiency solutions (such as the smart meter), research shows that the end-user...

Smart meters have become a core part of the Internet of Things, and its sensory network is increasing globally. For example, in the UK there are over 15 million smart meters operating across homes and businesses. One of the main advantages of the smart meter installation is the link to a reduction in carbon emissions. Research shows that, when prov...

Hospital critical infrastructures have a distinct threat vector, due to (i) a dependence on legacy software; (ii) the vast levels of interconnected medical devices; (iii) the use of multiple bespoke software and that (iv) electronic devices (e.g., laptops and PCs) are often shared by multiple users. In the UK, hospitals are currently upgrading towa...

Technological advancements in the field of electrical energy distribution and utilization are revolutionizing the way consumers and utility providers interact. In addition to allowing utility companies to monitor the status of their network independently in autonomous fashion, data collected by smart meters as part of the wider advanced metering in...

Efforts of electrical utilities to respond to climate change require the development of increasingly sophisticated, integrated electrical grids referred to as the “smart grids”. Much of the smart grid effort focuses on integration of renewable generation into the electricity grid and on increased monitoring and automation of electrical transmission...

Fuel poverty has a negative impact on the wellbeing of individuals within a household; affecting not only comfort levels but also increased levels of seasonal mortality. Wellbeing solutions within this sector are moving towards identifying how the needs of people in vulnerable situations can be improved or monitored by means of existing supply netw...

Over the last decade, Internet of Things (IoTs) have brought radical changes to the means and forms of communication for monitoring and control of a large number of applications including Smart Grid (SG). Traditional energy networks have been modernized to SGs to boost the energy industry in the context of efficient and effective power management,...

It is undoubtable that virtual reality and augmented reality will soon be an integral part of our daily lives at home, in education, and at work. Here, we look at some of the exciting projects that Dr William Hurst of the Department of Computer Science at Liverpool John Moores University is driving forward and read how he is embracing virtual reali...

The Fourth International Conference on Applications and Systems of Visual Paradigms (VISUAL2019),held between June30–July4, 2019-Rome,Italy continued the inaugural event in putting together complementary domains were visual approaches are considered in a synergetic view. Visual paradigms were developed on the basis of understanding the brain’s and...

Smart meters are the next generation gas and electricity meters where the meter readings are presented digitally and accurately to the consumer via an In-Home Display unit. Access to the data sets generated by smart meters is becoming increasingly prevalent. As such, this paper presents an approach for detecting age groups from aggregated smart met...

As network data continues to grow in volume, it is important that network administrators have the tools to be able to identify anomalous network flows and malicious activity. However, it is just as important that tools allow the administrator to visualise this activity in relation to other benign activity. As such, this paper will propose a method...

The smart grid is an advanced infrastructure that leverages communication technology, data analytics and cloud computing to control the distribution and consumption of energy. Smart grid systems include producers, consumers and actors, to ensure a resource saving and efficient electrical network. Within the smart grid, the smart meter records the c...

Augmented Reality (AR) has the opportunity to be a disruptive technology in the delivery of educational materials at all levels, from public outreach activities to expert level teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The attractiveness of AR as a teaching tool is its ability to deliver a blended learning experience created from the mixin...

This research concerns the detection of unauthorised access within hospital networks through the real-time analysis of audit logs. Privacy is a primary concern amongst patients due to the rising adoption of Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems. There is growing evidence to suggest that patients may withhold information from healthcare providers...

There is a lack of access to training tools, best practice guides and knowledge repositories to help with the digital switch to Industry 4.0. Consequently, in this paper, the ProAccel (Productivity Accelerator) platform design is outlined. The system is a modular cloud-based multimedia platform that employs advanced data analytics and gamification...

This research concerns the detection of abnormal data usage and unauthorised access in large-scale critical networks, specifically healthcare infrastructures. Hospitals in the UK are now connecting their traditionally isolated equipment on a large scale to Internet-enabled networks to enable remote data access. This step-change makes sensitive data...

The rising demand for health and social care, and around the clock monitoring services, is increasing and are unsustainable under current care provisions. Consequently, a safe and independent living environment is hard to achieve; yet the detection of sudden or worsening changes in a patient’s condition is vital for early intervention. The use of s...

Visualising complex data facilitates a more comprehensive stage for conveying knowledge. Within the medical data domain, there is an increasing requirement for valuable and accurate information. Patients need to be confident that their data is being stored safely and securely. As such, it is now becoming necessary to visualise data patterns and tre...

The growing Internet of Things (IoT), the increasing use of sensor technology and the digitisation of traditionally isolated analogue devices are transforming manufacturing and private dwellings in the UK. This ongoing revolution is often referred to as Industry 4.0, where real-time data informs the product value chain and digital applications are...

Worldwide, the number of people living with self-limiting conditions, is increasing. The resulting strain on healthcare resources means that providing 24-h monitoring for patients is a challenge. As this problem escalates, caring for an ageing population will become more demanding over the next decade, and the need for new, innovative and cost effe...

A smart meter measures energy consumption with more granular detail than conventional analogue meters. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) facilitates real-time two-way communication between the consumer and the rest of the energy grid. Information concerning electricity consumption, demand and response and home energy generation is communic...

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has currently become the most popular element in smart grid implementations both in home area network (HAN) and Neighborhood Area Network (NAN) environment as well as in large commercial/industrial establishments. The security of AMI has been an issue for several years, and many tools and utilities have been p...

In May 2017, a global ransomware campaign adversely affected approximately 48 UK hospitals. Response to the WannaCry cyber-attack resulted in many hospital networks being taken offline, and non-emergency patients being refused care. This is a clear example that data behaviour within healthcare infrastructures needs to be monitored for malicious, er...

3D scanning and printing has the potential to revolutionise the world. It offers a bridge between the virtual environment and the tangible world. The use of 3D scanners to capture and recreate defining objects is known as 3D virtualisation. It involves capturing a real-life scene using laser technology and representing its geometry using 3D modelli...

In recent years, cyberattacks have increased rapidly in huge volumes and diversity. Despite the existence of advanced cyber-defence systems, attacks and intrusions still occur. Defence systems tried to block previously known attacks, stop ongoing attacks and detect occurred attacks. However, often the damage caused by an attack is catastrophic. Con...

File sharing applications, which operate as a form of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, are popular amongst users and developers due to their heterogeneity, decentralized approach and rudimentary deployment features. However, they are also used for illegal online activities and often are infested with malicious content such as viruses and contraband mate...

Around the world a large scale implementation of smart meters is underway, the UK alone will install over 50 million of these smart devices by the end of 2020. These devices and their associated infrastructures bring many benefits over the traditional energy grid. However in order to maximise their true potential different applications need to be c...

Physical testbeds offer the ability to test out cyber-security practices, which may be dangerous to implement in a real-life scenario. They also provide a means to educate students and researchers on effective cyber-defence practices. However, the majority of existing non-virtualised physical testbeds are costly, inaccessible, and are often locatio...

Over the last decade, Internet of Things (IoTs) have brought radical changes to the means and forms ofcommunication for monitoring and control of a large number of applications including Smart Grid (SG).Traditional energy networks have been modernized to SGs to boost the energy industry in the context ofefficient and effective power management, per...

Over the last decade, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have brought radical changes to the means and forms of communication for monitoring and control of a large number of applications including Smart Grid (SG). Traditional energy networks have been modernized to Smart Grids to boost the energy industry in the context of efficient and effective powe...

In the UK, the number of people living with self-limiting conditions, such as Dementia, Parkinson's disease and depression, is increasing. The resulting strain on national healthcare resources means that providing 24-hour monitoring for patients is a challenge. As this problem escalates, caring for an ageing population will become more demanding ov...

A significant challenge for governments around the globe is the need to improve the level of awareness for citizens and businesses about the threats that exist in cyberspace. The arrival of new information technologies has resulted in different types of criminal activities, which previously did not exist, with the potential to cause extensive damag...

The Internet is now heavily relied upon by the Critical Infrastructures (CI). This has led to different security threats facing interconnected security systems. By understanding the complexity of critical infrastructure interdependency, and how to take advantage of it in order to minimize the cascading problem, enables the prediction of potential p...

Virtual tours and interactive walkthroughs enable a more in-depth platform for communicating information. Many current techniques employ the use of Photo Stitching to accomplish this. However, over the last decade advancements in computing power and the accessibility of game engines, meant that developing rich 3D content for virtual tours is more p...

The theft of medical data, which is intrinsically valuable, can lead to loss of patient privacy and trust. With increasing requirements for valuable and accurate information, patients need to be confident that their data is being stored safely and securely. However, medical devices are vulnerable to attacks from the digital domain, with many device...

Critical infrastructure assets contribute to the economy and society as a whole. Their impact on the security, economy and health sector are extremely vital. However, their increasing complexity has led to the creation of direct and indirect interdependent connections amongst the infrastructure groupings. In this paper, the development of a distrib...

With the implementation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), comes the opportunity to gain valuable insights into an individual’s daily habits, patterns and routines. A vital part of the AMI is the smart meter. It enables the monitoring of a consumer’s electricity usage with a high degree of accuracy. Each device reports and records a con...

A Neighbourhood Area Network is a functional component of the Smart Grid that interconnects the end user domain with the Energy Services Provider (ESP) domain. It forms the “edge” of the provider network, interconnecting homes instrumented with Smart Meters (SM) with the ESP. The SM is a dual interface, wireless communication device through which i...

Health care information systems form the backbone of health care infrastructures and are increasingly reliant on medical devices to capture and transmit data. These devices, however, are vulnerable to attacks from the digital domain. The number of differing medical devices and information systems interacting with one another in new and increasingly...

Over the last decade, critical infrastructures have become increasingly complex. They now possess levels of automation which requires the integration of, often, mutually incompatible technologies. In addition, the data sets generated are t, vast and intricate level of interdependency between infrastructures has grown. Any failures, caused by cyber-...

Modern critical infrastructures have to process significantly large data sets. Intrusion-detection systems and unified threat management systems have the role of keeping critical infrastructures secure against cyber-attacks. However, in the world of big data, these systems are struggling to cope with overload and often become the bottle neck in the...

stract. Critical infrastructures are the backbone of everyday life and their protection from cyber-threats is an increasingly pressing issue for governments and private industries. Not only is effective security costly, the requirements individual critical infrastructures have been often unique, meaning their security systems have to be tailored to...

Around the world, a large scale implementation of smart meters is underway. The UK alone will install and configure over 50 million smart meters by the end of 2020. These smart devices enable consumer electricity usage monitoring with a high degree of accuracy. Each device records consumer data at regular intervals, which can be used to identify an...