NaviCell: a web-based environment for navigation, curation and maintenance of large molecular interaction maps

Molecular biology knowledge can be systematically represented in a computer-readable form as a comprehensive map of molecular interactions. There exist a number of maps of molecular interactions containing detailed description of various cell mechanisms. It is difficult to explore these large maps, to comment their content and to maintain them. Though there exist several tools addressing these problems individually, the scientific community still lacks an environment that combines these three capabilities together. NaviCell is a web-based environment for exploiting large maps of molecular interactions, created in CellDesigner, allowing their easy exploration, curation and maintenance. NaviCell combines three features: (1) efficient map browsing based on Google Maps engine; (2) semantic zooming for viewing different levels of details or of abstraction of the map and (3) integrated web-based blog for collecting the community feedback. NaviCell can be easily used by experts in the field of molecular biology for studying molecular entities of their interest in the context of signaling pathways and cross-talks between pathways within a global signaling network. NaviCell allows both exploration of detailed molecular mechanisms represented on the map and a more abstract view of the map up to a top-level modular representation. NaviCell facilitates curation, maintenance and updating the comprehensive maps of molecular interactions in an interactive fashion due to an imbedded blogging system. NaviCell provides an easy way to explore large-scale maps of molecular interactions, thanks to the Google Maps and WordPress interfaces, already familiar to many users. Semantic zooming used for navigating geographical maps is adopted for molecular maps in NaviCell, making any level of visualization meaningful to the user. In addition, NaviCell provides a framework for community-based map curation.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, submitte

Navigation in hypermedia learning systems: Experts vs. novices

With the advancement of Web technology, hypermedia learning systems are becoming more widespread in educational settings. Hypermedia learning systems present course content with non-sequential formats, so students are required to develop learning paths by themselves. Yet, empirical evidence indicates that not all students can benefit from hypermedia learning. Research into individual differences suggests that prior knowledge has significant effects on student learning in hypermedia systems, with experts and novices showing different preferences to the use of hypermedia learning systems and requiring different levels of navigation support. It is therefore essential to develop a mechanism to help designers understand the needs of experts and novices. To address this issue, this paper presents a framework to illustrate the needs of students with different levels of prior knowledge by analyzing the findings of previous research. The overall aim of this framework is to integrate students’ prior knowledge into the design of hypermedia learning systems. Finally, implications for the design of hypermedia learning systems are discussed

Using Interactive Maps in Community Applications

Interactive maps provide unique ways to support community applications. In particular, they enable new collaborative activities. Map-based navigation supports a community environment as well as virtual tours. Interactive maps can also function as a tool in collecting historical information and discussing new spatial layouts. These examples indicate the numerous opportunities for interactive maps to support collaboration

Seafloor characterization using airborne hyperspectral co-registration procedures independent from attitude and positioning sensors

The advance of remote-sensing technology and data-storage capabilities has progressed in the last decade to commercial multi-sensor data collection. There is a constant need to characterize, quantify and monitor the coastal areas for habitat research and coastal management. In this paper, we present work on seafloor characterization that uses hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The HSI data allows the operator to extend seafloor characterization from multibeam backscatter towards land and thus creates a seamless ocean-to-land characterization of the littoral zone

Using multimedia concept maps to enhance the learner experience in business law

Students&rsquo; learning experience can be affected by difficulties in understanding the interrelationships between concepts and also between topics. Concept maps have been used in many disciplines (Kremer &amp; Gains, 1996) to structure information and express relationships between them. Their holistic approach with multiple pathways through the learning resource can make relationships and linkages between topics and subtopics obvious, and contribute to a meaningful and positive learning experience. This paper outlines the development and formative evaluation of two hypermedia concept maps which led to the development of a series of eleven concept maps to enhance the learning experience of students in a first year undergraduate business law unit.As part of the Stage 1 formative evaluation, two concept maps were developed together with supporting multimedia resources and trialled on the learners. Feedback was also obtained from technical staff. This phase was designed to assess and control the quality of the learning resource as well as the impact it had on the learning experience. The paper closes by discussing how information gained in Stage 1 was used in Stage 2 as a basis to modify the initially trialled maps and to develop the other supporting maps.<br /

Towards Rapid Generation and Visualisation of Large 3D Urban Landscapes for Mobile Device Navigation

In this paper a procedural 3D modelling solution for mobile devices is presented based on scripting algorithms allowing for both the automatic and also semi-automatic creation of photorealistic quality virtual urban content. The combination of aerial images, GIS data, 2D ground maps and terrestrial photographs as input data coupled with a user-friendly customized interface permits the automatic and interactive generation of large-scale, accurate, georeferenced and fully-textured 3D virtual city content, content that can be specially optimized for use with mobile devices but also with navigational tasks in mind. Furthermore, a user-centred mobile virtual reality (VR) visualisation and interaction tool operating on PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) for pedestrian navigation is also discussed. Via this engine, the import and display of various navigational file formats (2D and 3D) is supported, including a comprehensive front-end user-friendly graphical user interface providing immersive virtual 3D navigation

A review of electric vehicle charge point map websites in the NSR: Interim report

This interim report is a review of the EV charge point (station) map websites in the North Sea Region (NSR) with the aim to identify if there are any patterns, or any noticeable gaps on the information presented by the interactive EV charge point tools. For each example of the charge point (station) map website, a review has been undertaken by visiting the charge point (station) map website and recording if the site contains the information, which is of key importance from an EV user perspective, for example an interactive map; any information on the charger power of the charge points (stations); the type of connection of the charge points (stations); the addresses of the charge points (stations) and further helpful details