Background and Context: In order to fully include learners with visual impairments in early programming education, it is necessary to gain insight into specificities regarding their experience of and approach to abstract computational concepts. Objective: In this study, we use the model of the layers of abstraction to explore how learners with visual impairments approach the computational concept of abstraction, working with the Bee-bot and Blue-bot. Method: Six blind and three low vision learners from the elementary school level were observed while completing programming assignments. Findings: The model of the layers of abstraction, can overall be generalized to learners with visual impairments, who engage in patterns that reflect iterative actions of redesigning and debugging. Especially our blind learners use specific tactile and physical behaviors to engage in these actions. Implications: Ultimately, understanding such specificities can contribute to inclusive tailored educational instruction and support.
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Brochure from the Inauguration of Klaas Dijkstra, professor Computer Vision and Data Science
![I’M A.I. IMage Processing and Artificial Intelligence [Inaugurele rede]](https://publinova-harvester-content-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails/files/previews/pdf/20250506132441657988.LS20Brochure20Professorship20CVDS20FINAL20WEB2028129-thumbnail-400x300.png)
At the end of the 20th century, hacking was bleeding edge. When the ideas, practices and pranks of this experimental niche of technophiles attracted the attention of a handful of activists in Italy, they understood that information and communication were what would give shape and voice to social, political, and cultural processes in the near future.+KAOS is a cut and paste of interviews, like a documentary film transposed on paper. It describes the peculiar relationship between hacktivism and activism, in Italy and beyond, highlighting the importance of maintaining digital infrastructures. While this may not sound as glamorous as sneaking into a server and leaking data, it is a fundamental topic: not even the most emblematic group of hacktivists can operate without the services of radical server collectives.
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The Northern Netherlands (NN) finds itself at the junction of all the big transitions. Digitalisation is essential to follow through with these. Considering this, our region has the potential to make sizeable progress if it can successfully roll out widespread digitalisation. As a hardcore transition economy, the NN may even join the European frontrunners and act as an example for other regions. It is from this challenge that the NN will start with the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH NN). We have chosen to specialise in the area of Autonomous Systems, which includes multiple digital technologies that are relevant for the four transitions in the NN: (1) Smart Agro, (2) Smart Manufacturing, (3) Life Science and Health and (4) Utilities, Built Environment and Mobility. In the first three-year EDIH NN wants to support more than 750 companies and lay the foundation for long-term support of all companies. The following building blocks for EDIH NN are: • A Brokerage network that will identify issues regarding digitalisation and relay these to Solution Providers (high TRL) and knowledge providers (low TRL). • A Test Before Invest network (test and demo facilities) comprising 20+ organisations that will invest in Autonomous Systems within their domain, and collaborate towards becoming a European testing ground. • A Smart Factory Accelerator to strengthen the digital maturity of companies. • An Empowerment programme to strengthen companies in the areas of DEP Technologies: Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence. • An approach based on High Performance Computing to make digitalisation more accessible. • The Smart Makers Academy: A programme aimed at matching supply and demand around digital skills, based on individual learning outcomes. • A Funding Readiness programme to help companies that need to invest for their digitalisation strategy, in finding funding opportunities. • A network to stimulate supply and demand around Autonomous Systems
Het is een tijds- en kostenintensief proces om de conditie van assets in de publieke ruimte te monitoren. Nieuwe technologie in de vorm van 3D LiDAR scanning biedt nieuwe mogelijkheden voor conditiemonitoring. Het doel van deze KIEM-aanvraag is (i) om de hardware geschikt te maken voor frequente en goedkope opnames in de stedelijke omgeving, (ii) de analysetechnieken van de geproduceerde datasets verder te ontwikkelen en (iii) een geannoteerde dataset gefocust op asset management te produceren. Dit zorgt ervoor dat publieke en MKB-partijen slimmere, snellere en volledigere onderhoudsbeslissingen kunnen nemen. Het consortium van Fietskoerier.nl, Sonarski, Gemeente Amsterdam en de Hogeschool van Amsterdam heeft elkaar gevonden in de vraag: “Hoe kan (publieke) LiDAR data bijdragen aan SMART Asset Management?” Dit project bevat een unieke combinatie van twee technologieën die op dit moment in ontwikkeling zijn (i) sensor data gedreven conditiemonitoring en (ii) point cloud algoritmes op LiDAR data. Fietskoerier.nl heeft de resources om op een duurzame manier de stad in kaart te brengen. Sonarski heeft een oplossing voor het uitvoeren van de 3D scans en Gemeente Amsterdam is een belangrijke kennispartner en heeft groot scala aan assets in de publieke ruimte. De deelnemers van dit project zien deze aanvraag als een eerste stap en hebben de intentie om te groeien tot een groter consortium welke de gehele keten van onderhoud omvat.
Plastic waste is one of the largest environmental problems in the 21st century. By 2050, up to 12,000 Mt of plastic waste is estimated to be in landfills or in the natural environment. Biochemical recycling by using modified microbial enzymes have shown potentials in the back-to-monomer (BTM) recycling of polyethylene terephthalate by breaking down the polymers into re-usable monomers. These enzymes can be produced via fungal species. In order to make this biochemical BTM process viable a process integrated enzyme production is key in increasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of enzymes. For this a molecular monitoring method, such as RNA-seq (RNA-sequencing), is needed. RNA-seq can achieve a snapshot on enzyme producing process inside of the cell by semi-quantitatively measuring the volume of enzyme encoding RNAs. This information can bring hints on fungal strain improvement by promoting the desired enzymes. It also helps to instantly monitor the BTM production outcomes. However, conventional RNA-seq platforms can only be performed via service providers or startup investments reaching 2 million euros. Each round of analysis could take as long as 6 weeks turnaround time. Furthermore, the method creates huge amount of complicated datasets, only by expert skills and specialized high performance computing the data can be sorted in a comprehensive manner. To solve these problems, in this project, by combining the expertise on plastic end-of-life control, fungal enzyme production, molecular monitoring and Bioinformatics from both the UAS and SME sides, we aim to implement a novel RNA-seq based system to monitor the in-process enzyme production for plastic degradation. We will optimize the existing portable RNA-seq prototype machinery for semi-real time monitoring of the BTM recycling process. The downstream data will be handled by a tailored analysis pipeline designed with expert knowledge via an user-friendly interface.
