Context Aware Browser

I will present the Context Aware Browser, a novel paradigm for context-aware access to Web contents with mobile devices. The idea is to allow automatic download of Web pages, and even automatic execution of Web applications, on user\u27s own mobile device. The Web resources are not simply pushed on the mobile device; rather, they are selected on the basis of the context the user is in: context data (mainly location, but not only) are used to build a query sent to an external search engine, that selects the most relevant Web content. I will describe the idea, provide some examples, show a video of a recently built prototype, present implementation issues, discuss our specific evaluation methodology and the results, and sketch future work and problems. This is an ongoing project, started about five years ago; it is joint work with the Context Aware and Mobile Systems laboratory (smdc.uniud.it) and the MoBe spinoff (www.mobe.it) at Udine University

La Companhia dos Canaes d’Azambuja:: acortar distancias, evitar dificultades

In 1844, a group of Portuguese capitalists created the Companhia dos Canaes da Azam­buja, with the purpose to build the Azambuja Ditch, navigable all year round, and improve its drainage capacity during the periodic flooding of the Tagus River. The works, which were never completed, were financed by an innovative partnership between the government and the Com­panhia’s shareholders, and technical assistance by Italian experts. This paper, mainly based on archival documentation and the press, analyses the establishment of the Companhia, the contract signed with the Portuguese government and the role played by Italian legal experts and engineers.En 1844, un grupo de capitalistas portugueses constituyó la Companhia dos Canaes da Azambuja, creada para recalificar la Acequia de Azambuja, haciéndola navegable todo el año y mejorando su capacidad de desagüe de las periódicas crecidas del río Tajo. Las obras, que nunca llegaron a completarse, fueron financiadas por una innovadora asociación entre el gobierno y los accionistas de la Companhia, y asistidas técnicamente por expertos italianos. Este trabajo, basado principalmente en documentación de archivo y prensa, analizará la creación de la Companhia, el contrato firmado con el gobierno portugués y el papel desempeñado por los juristas e ingenieros italianos

Accessible and usable websites and mobile applications for people with autism spectrum disorders: A comparative study

Accessibility, usability and inclusion represent desirable challenges of current research in the field of universal design: in some cases, these features require adaptive behaviours and specialised customisations, while, in general, it is possible to identify common and hareable guidelines. We focus our attention on hildren with autism spectrum disorders. Many studies show the positive impact of using computer technologies for supporting the lives of these users. Despite that, just a restricted part of the current websites and apps is accessible and usable for people with ASD. In this paper, we present general and shared guidelines and best practices for accessibility and usability for all; and we propose specialised guidelines for designers and developers of websites and mobile applications for users with ASD. We then present a review of many of the existing websites and applications, in order to check which comply with all, or parts of these guidelines

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 212

A bibliography listing 146 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system is presented. The subject coverage concentrates on the biological, psychological, and environmental factors involved in atmospheric and interplanetary flight. Related topics such as sanitary problems, pharmacology, toxicology, safety and survival, life support systems, and exobiology are also given attention

Visual approaches to knowledge organization and contextual exploration

This thesis explores possible visual approaches for the representation of semantic structures, such as zz-structures. Some holistic visual representations of complex domains have been investigated through the proposal of new views - the so-called zz-views - that allow both to make visible the interconnections between elements and to support a contextual and multilevel exploration of knowledge. The potential of this approach has been examined in the context of two case studies that have led to the creation of two Web applications. The \ufb01rst domain of study regarded the visual representation, analysis and management of scienti\ufb01c bibliographies. In this context, we modeled a Web application, we called VisualBib, to support researchers in building, re\ufb01ning, analyzing and sharing bibliographies. We adopted a multi-faceted approach integrating features that are typical of three di\ufb00erent classes of tools: bibliography visual analysis systems, bibliographic citation indexes and personal research assistants. The evaluation studies carried out on a \ufb01rst prototype highlighted the positive impact of our visual model and encouraged us to improve it and develop further visual analysis features we incorporated in the version 3.0 of the application. The second case study concerned the modeling and development of a multimedia catalog of Web and mobile applications. The objective was to provide an overview of a significant number of tools that can help teachers in the implementation of active learning approaches supported by technology and in the design of Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs). We analyzed and documented 281 applications, preparing for each of them a detailed multilingual card and a video-presentation, organizing all the material in an original purpose-based taxonomy, visually represented through a browsable holistic view. The catalog, we called AppInventory, provides contextual exploration mechanisms based on zz-structures, collects user contributions and evaluations about the apps and o\ufb00ers visual analysis tools for the comparison of the applications data and user evaluations. The results of two user studies carried out on groups of teachers and students shown a very positive impact of our proposal in term of graphical layout, semantic structure, navigation mechanisms and usability, also in comparison with two similar catalogs

Transforming our World through Universal Design for Human Development

An environment, or any building product or service in it, should ideally be designed to meet the needs of all those who wish to use it. Universal Design is the design and composition of environments, products, and services so that they can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. It creates products, services and environments that meet people’s needs. In short, Universal Design is good design. This book presents the proceedings of UD2022, the 6th International Conference on Universal Design, held from 7 - 9 September 2022 in Brescia, Italy.The conference is targeted at professionals and academics interested in the theme of universal design as related to the built environment and the wellbeing of users, but also covers mobility and urban environments, knowledge, and information transfer, bringing together research knowledge and best practice from all over the world. The book contains 72 papers from 13 countries, grouped into 8 sections and covering topics including the design of inclusive natural environments and urban spaces, communities, neighborhoods and cities; housing; healthcare; mobility and transport systems; and universally- designed learning environments, work places, cultural and recreational spaces. One section is devoted to universal design and cultural heritage, which had a particular focus at this edition of the conference. The book reflects the professional and disciplinary diversity represented in the UD movement, and will be of interest to all those whose work involves inclusive design