Project-based learning in programming classes the effect of open project scope on student motivation and learning outcome

In this paper we report on the use of project-based learning in teaching a second-year course in Electrical Engineering that comprises learning to program in LabVIEW a graphical programming language and a basic introduction to data communication and telecommunication. The introduction of open project scope has led to higher student motivation and improved learning outcome. In addition, the inclusion of laboratory exercises that provide further tools for interfacing with external hardware, for example Arduino boards, sensors, and wireless networks, has led to further improvement in project quality as students incorporate resources from their own interests and from other courses in their projects

Αξιολόγηση των Βιοκλιματικών-Βιομετεωρολογικών συνθηκών στην Αθήνα κατά την περίοδο 2012-2013

Το αντικείμενο της εργασίας αυτής είναι η εκτίμηση των βιοκλιματικών συνθηκών στην περιοχή του κέντρου της Αθήνας, με τη χρήση μοντέλων, όπως το RayMan. Η ανάλυση των βιοκλιματικών συνθηκών έγινε, χρησιμοποιώντας το θερμικό δείκτη UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index), που βασίζεται στο πιο εξελιγμένο θερμοφυσιολογικό πρότυπο. Κατά την περίοδο μελέτης, μετρήθηκαν οι κύριοι ατμοσφαιρικοί παράγοντες, δηλαδή, η θερμοκρασία, η ακτινοβολία, η σχετική υγρασία, η ταχύτητα και η διεύθυνση του ανέμου. Μετά την εκτίμηση του θερμικού δείκτη UTCI, έγινε αξιολόγηση των βιομετεωρολογικών συνθηκών κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου των πειραματικών μετρήσεων. Τα συμπεράσματα που βγήκαν δείχνουν ποια κλάση του θερμικού δείκτη UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) εκφράζει τη μεγαλύτερη συχνότητα και για ποια ώρα της ημέρας, για κάθε μήνα των μετρήσεων.The subject of this project is to evaluate the bioclimatic conditions in the area of the center of Athens, using models such as RayMan. The analysis of bioclimatic conditions was done using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) based on the most advanced thermophysical model. During the study period the main atmospheric factors were measured: temperature, radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. After evaluating the UTCI thermal index, an assessment of biometeorological conditions was performed during the experimental measurement period. The conclusions show which class of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) presents the highest frequency and for which time of day, for each month of measurements

The NOBEL2 approach to resilience in future transport networks

IST project NOBEL2 results on resilience strategies for next-generation optical transport networks are presented, paving the way towards cost-effective, scalable and easy-to-maintain multi-service network architectures.Postprint (published version

The influence of community factors on the engagement of residents in place promotion: Empirical evidence from an Italian heritage site

The engagement of community residents in place promotion is increasingly recognized as desirable for ensuring effective and reliable communication with tourists. The study investigated the effects of community factors on residents' engagement in the promotion of an Italian heritage site. Community commitment, environmental attitudes, and perceptions of the effectiveness of existing place marketing communications were found to be decisive in influencing residents' engagement in the promotion of the Amalfi Coast. The paper helps to shed light on collaboration in place promotion, thus enriching the debate on the ambassadorship role of residents and suggesting useful insights for policy makers/destination management organization

Aspects of sustainability in the destination branding process: a bottom-up approach

The concept of sustainability is based on the premise that the inhabitants of a destination should be involved in the way that destination is managed and promoted. At the same time, the literature of place branding emphasizes the important role of local stakeholders in the creation of a true and reliable place brand. In fact, the process of developing a destination brand begins with the aim of shaping the identity of a destination; what the destination stands for. The sustainable dimensions of the destination branding process are explored, while focus groups and structured questionnaires are used to evaluate the usefulness of projection techniques in the process of building a brand identity. It seems that the use of the personification technique could work as an effective destination positioning exercise and as an alternative proposal to the outdated clichés used in tourism promotion

Design and assessment of Fabry-Perot quantum well electroabsorption optical modulators

The optical properties of multiple quantum well (MQW) material can be modified by application of an electric field across the wells. Hence, by locating the wells in the intrinsic region of a p-i-n diode, an optical beam incident on the diode may be modulated. The incorporation of such a diode in an integrated Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity yields an enhancement of the modulation characteristics. This thesis deals with the assessment and optimisation of Fabry-Perot reflection modulators in the GaAs/AlGaAs material system, where the electroabsorption effects in quantum wells are employed to attain voltage-controlled optical intensity modulation. The work is primarily concerned with the asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator (AFPM) where the front mirror of the FP cavity is of lower reflectivity than that of the back. Although the achievable very high on:off reflectivity ratios make this type of device very attractive, its ultimate implementation imposes a number of other requirements. Firstly, the operation needs to be compatible with existing electronics required to drive the modulator. Secondly, the performance must be tolerant to fluctuations of a number of parameters associated both with the epitaxial growth and with the operational conditions including ambient temperature. Our optimisation aims, therefore, both to improve the modulation characteristics and to maximise the tolerance of the structure. To do this, we examine theoretically and experimentally the parameters that affect the performance, addressing both the quantum well effects and the microresonator design. We develop a comprehensive design method, demonstrate modulators with improved characteristics, proceed to a thorough evaluation of the performance ultimately attainable by AFPMs, and finally produce optimised designs to meet predefined specifications. Another quantum well electroabsorption-based device, the symmetric cavity electroabsorption modulator (SCEM), is fully investigated and its relative merits are critically examined. In this case the front and back mirrors are equal and the device offers certain advantages in the normally-off mode, thereby lending itself to optically bistable operation. We demonstrate switching using SCEMs in the symmetric self- electro-optic-effect device (S-SEED) configuration. Finally, we examine the microresonator devices in terms of their potential for versatile functionality within optoelectronic systems, and propose integrated configurations and new composite devices

Néophron à l’origine de la Médée d’Euripide

Zouganeli Anna. Néophron à l’origine de la Médée d’Euripide. In: Revue des Études Grecques, tome 130, fascicule 2, Juillet-décembre 2017. pp. 687-697

The Greek Tragic Fragments of the fourth century BC

La tragédie du quatrième siècle fut considérée depuis l’antiquité comme une phase de décadence du genre tragique. Toutefois, plusieurs spécialistes ont montré qu’il ne s’agissait pas d’un déclin : le théâtre continuait à jouer un rôle important dans la vie culturelle du monde grec. Dans cette thèse nous proposons une nouvelle édition des fragments des poètes tragiques grecs du quatrième siècle, qui furent actifs entre la fin de la guerre du Péloponnèse et la mort d’Alexandre le Grand. L’édition des textes est précédée d’une courte introduction sur chaque poète et suivie de leur apparat critique, leur traduction et des commentaires. Nous proposons également un nouvel ordre des poètes et des témoignages pour faciliter l’étude de ces textes. Nous espérons que cette thèse contribuera à une meilleure compréhension de cette production méconnue et invitera à des nouvelles recherches.After the death of Euripides and Sophocles, tragic poets continue to write tragedies. During the fourth century BC theatre expanded all over the Greek world. In this thesis, I propose a new edition of the tragic fragments of the fourth century BC, by poets who were active from the end of the Peloponnesian war to the death of Alexander the Great. The edition of these texts is preceded by a brief introduction on each poet and followed by a critical apparatus, their translation and commentaries. I also propose a new order of the poets and testimonies in order to facilitate the study of the texts. I hope this thesis will contribute to a better understanding of this relatively unknown production and inspire new researches