Defining adaptation in a generic multi layer model : CAM: the GRAPPLE conceptual adaptation model

Authoring of Adaptive Hypermedia is a difficult and time consuming task. Reference models like LAOS and AHAM separate adaptation and content in different layers. Systems like AHA! offer graphical tools based on these models to allow authors to define adaptation without knowing any adaptation language. The adaptation that can be defined using such tools is still limited. Authoring systems like MOT are more flexible, but usability of adaptation specification is low. This paper proposes a more generic model which allows the adaptation to be defined in an arbitrary number of layers, where adaptation is expressed in terms of relationships between concepts. This model allows the creation of more powerful yet easier to use graphical authoring tools. This paper presents the structure of the Conceptual Adaptation Models used in adaptive applications created within the GRAPPLE adaptive learning environment, and their representation in a graphical authoring tool

Defining adaptation in a generic multi layer model : CAM: the GRAPPLE conceptual adaptation model

Authoring of Adaptive Hypermedia is a difficult and time consuming task. Reference models like LAOS and AHAM separate adaptation and content in different layers. Systems like AHA! offer graphical tools based on these models to allow authors to define adaptation without knowing any adaptation language. The adaptation that can be defined using such tools is still limited. Authoring systems like MOT are more flexible, but usability of adaptation specification is low. This paper proposes a more generic model which allows the adaptation to be defined in an arbitrary number of layers, where adaptation is expressed in terms of relationships between concepts. This model allows the creation of more powerful yet easier to use graphical authoring tools. This paper presents the structure of the Conceptual Adaptation Models used in adaptive applications created within the GRAPPLE adaptive learning environment, and their representation in a graphical authoring tool

Legacy of Le Grand Départ Tour de France Utrecht 2015

Abstract for the Sport Management Australia New Zealand conference in Tasmania in 2015. The aim of the abstract is to describe the research we are carrying out in Utrecht to the legacy of the first two stages of the Tour the France 2015 in the city of Utrecht – The Netherlands

Report on the status of INSPIRE in the Balkan countries

The INSPIRE Directive requires actions from the EU member states and also has direct implications on the countries in the neighbourhood of the EU, regardless whether they are candidate countries or not. Preconditions for the EU membership, to which actually all the countries of Western Balkan (WB) countries aspire is their administrative capacity to incorporate the EU acquis, to fulfill the adopted standards and to execute the assumed obligations. INSPIRE Directive is just one but very important piece of legislation in environmental acquis and is a part of negotiation processes between European Commission and candidate countries. This report summarizes on-going initiatives and activities in the WB countries to develop a National Spatial Data Infrastructures following the principles and provisions of the INSPIRE Directive. It also gives an overview of different JRC activities in the support of INSPIRE implementation in the WB.JRC.H.6 - Digital Earth and Reference Dat

European Union Location Framework - Guidelines for public procurement of geospatial technologies

These guidelines focus on the procurement of location information products and services, such as the acquisition of new location data to support applications, the acquisition of solutions for using location data and services in e Government processes and products and/or services for making data interoperable and/or accessible. The procurement can take place as part of the development of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), the implementation of the INSPIRE regulation, or any other Directive in which such information and services are important, or within the context of regular activities of spatial data and service providers and users (e.g. Mapping and Cadastre Agencies, Government departments, local public administrations). The guidelines provide recommendations on elements of best practice in procurement in which location information and location enabled services are important, with some practical examples; and describe some concrete sample texts that could be used in invitations to tender when reference is made to location information and location enabled service requirements. The procurement process is also explained as part of a potential future e-procurement platform in which the application and updating of geospatial standards (through change requests) could be integrated as well.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat

Building bridges: experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of INSPIRE and e-reporting of air quality data in Europe

The collection, exchange and use of air quality data require diverse monitoring, processing and dissemination systems to work together. They should supply data, which can afterwards be used in different contexts such as planning, population exposure and environmental impact assessment. As air quality is not dependant on national borders this would only be feasible on an international level. This manuscript reports on the lessons learned from using the world’s largest data harmonization effort for environmental information infrastructure - INSPIRE as a backbone of a European wide spatial data reporting system which involves an unprecedented number of actors and volumes of data. It is important in the context of Digital Earth, and the establishment of a global SDI through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), as the quality of ambient air is among the pressing environmental problems of today. We summarize our findings from the perspective of national public authorities, obliged by law to transmit spatio-temporal data in order to streamline reporting and facilitate the use of information, while keeping public expenditure at minimum. To identify what works in this type of reporting we established a cross-border case study, looking at the process of harmonization and exchange of data in Belgium and the Netherlands based on interoperable standards. Our results cover the legal, semantic, technological and organizational aspects of reporting. They are relevant to a cross-thematic audience, having to undergo similar processes of reporting, such as climate change, but also environmental noise, marine, biodiversity, and water management.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat

Evaluatie Le Grand Départ Utrecht 2015

De evaluatie van Le Grand Départ Utrecht beoordeelt of de opdracht en hoofddoelstellingen zijn gerealiseerd en welke lessen de gemeente Utrecht hieruit kan trekken. Onderdelen die zijn onderzocht zijn een analyse van de waardering van de bezoekers, de economische impact van het evenement en de organisatorische en maatschappelijke legacy ervan

Extending the voltage window in the characterization of electrical transport of large-area molecular junctions

A large bias window is required to discriminate between different transport models in large-area molecular junctions. Under continuous DC bias, the junctions irreversibly break down at fields over 9 MV/cm. We show that, by using pulse measurements, we can reach electrical fields of 35 MV/cm before degradation. The breakdown voltage is shown to depend logarithmically on both duty cycle and pulse width. A tentative interpretation is presented based on electrolysis in the polymeric top electrode. Expanding the bias window using pulse measurements unambiguously shows that the electrical transport exhibits not an exponential but a power-law dependence on bias. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3608154

Research on Education in Developing Countries: an inventory of Dutch projects and programmes

SUMMARY The article surveys current Dutch research in the field, classifying it by theme, source of finance, and type of collaboration involved. Comment is then made on some of the concrete problems of research procedure. RESUMEN Investigación educacional en países en desarrollo: un inventarlo de los proyectos y programas holandeses El articulo analiza la investigación holandesa actual, clasificándola por tema, fuente financiera y tipo de colaboración involucrada. A continuación se hacen comentarios sobre los problemas concretos del procedimiento de investigación. SOMMAIRE Recherche sur l'éducation dans les pays en voie de développement: un inventaire des projets et des programmes hollandais L'article présente les recherches hollandaises dans ce domaine, en les classant par thème, source de financement et mode de collaboration pratiqué. Suit un commentaire concernant les problèmes concrets dans la procédure de recherche

Assessment of the Conditions for a European Union Location Framework Report EUR

The European Union Location Framework (EULF) is a set of good practices and actions to promote more effective and efficient use of location information in e-government services. The EULF is part of the Interoperability Solutions for Public Administrations (ISA) Programme, which supports interoperability solutions, sharing and re-use among European Public Administrations. This report assesses the conditions for an EULF, based on a survey of Member States and an examination of EU policies and work programmes. Five focus areas are being considered initially: policy and strategy alignment, e government integration, standardisation and interoperbility, costs and benefits and committed partnerships. The assessment confirmed their importance in realising and maximising the benefits of location-related information and services. There are various good practices demonstrating that these issues can be addressed and that benefits for governments, citizens and businesses can be delivered. However these good pratices are not universally deployed and there are some significant gaps. The assessment also identified other important issues, including the need for effective leadership and governance, a user-driven approach, an open and balanced data policy, training and awareness raising and appropriately targeted funding. There is, therefore, a need for an EULF, to build on the good practices and interest from Member States and to develop a framework of guidance and actions that will foster interoperable cross-sector and cross-border sharing and use of location information.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat