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Gender, Social Interactions and Interests of Characters Illustrated in Scratch and Python Programming Books for Children
No full textFrom an early age, girls may opt out of Computer Science (CS) for not fitting the CS stereotypes of being male, asocial and technology-oriented. These stereotypes might be strengthened by children's books on programming, but little is known about this. Therefore, this paper explores the gender, social interactions and interests of characters illustrated in ten popular extracurricular Scratch and Python children's books. We found more masculine than feminine characters in all but one book. Furthermore, nearly half of the characters are illustrated alone, and 15% are interacting with computers & robots. Over two-thirds of the characters fit at least one stereotypical trait. With this paper, we aim to create awareness of stereotypes in CS books among creators, publishers and buyers. Making and using more inclusive CS materials will help close the gender gap..Software EngineeringWeb Information System
Graphene Genetics: Designing an Analog-to-Digital Converter in Graphene Utilizing an Evolutionary Algorithm
No full textAs advances in silicone CMOS technology steadily plateau, new avenues of electronics design must be explored. Graphene Nanoribbons (GNRs) are a potential solution. Current GNR designs require wasteful exhaustive searches for the required device topologies, limiting the size of the solution space that can be searched. This is fine for simple circuits, but more complex functionality requires a different approach. This work presents a new way of identifying suitable GNR device topologies for any functionality. It also presents an example of this, demonstrating how a circuit using the resultant GNR devices can outperform conventional, more complex circuits.The proposed methodology uses an evolutionary algorithm to efficiently search a large solution space of possible GNR device topologies. This is done while only having to simulate the behavior of a minuscule fraction of the device topologies in this solution space. The GNR devices found by this evolutionary algorithm are used to implement a 4-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), where each bit of the circuit consists of only a couple of GNR devices, in contrast to the many more transistors required for conventional designs.The resulting ADC circuit performs better than conventional ADC designs in terms of energy cost, conversion delay, and required circuit area by several orders of magnitude.Computer Engineerin
Learning from Libraries: Understanding inclusivity within libraries
No full textInclusivity and equality for individuals with disabilities have been significant throughout history and have had a profound impact over the last 50 years. This thesis examines the development of legislation for this group, the impact of an inaccessible environment on them, and how the library sector has played a pioneering role in promoting inclusivity even before the legal requirements were in place. Using the Public Library of Rotterdam as a case study, it illustrates how a library constructed in 1983 was already working toward an inclusive environment. The examination of the library covers physical accessibility, access to its collection, and its societal role. The thesis concludes that libraries have played a vital role inadvocating for inclusivity for everyone. Through their commitment, libraries have created a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities, unlike many other aspects of their lives, where exclusion remains a problem. This thesis offers a fresh perspective and calls for a more wholehearted embrace of inclusivity in our built surroundings.AR2A011Architectural History ThesisArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Science
Equipping Teachers for Integrated Language, Science and Technology Instruction: The Design of a 4C/ID-Based Professional Development Program
No full textIntegrated language, science and technology (ILS&T) instruction is a complex task for primary school teachers that requires professional development. Task-centered educational approaches such as the four-component instructional design (4C/ID) model are well suited for the development of complex professional skills. This article describes the application of the Ten Steps approach to the 4C/ID model in the domain of teacher education. The findings describe a blueprint for a 4C/ID-based teacher professional development program aimed at equipping in-service primary school teachers with the competences for ILS&T instruction, which can support instructional designers, teacher educators and researchers in making informed instructional design decisions.Science Education and Communicatio
Wisdom from the Past: A case study on how the Rijnlands Lyceum in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands, impacted the findings around multifunctional accommodations in the second half of the 20th century
No full textMultifunctional accommodations (M.F.A.) have been a topic of conversation in the Dutch educational sector since the late 1960s. The first Dutch M.F.A. to have been constructed, the Rijnlands Lyceum in Oegstgeest (R.L.O.), was built at a time when the Dutch government had greatly reduced funding into this sector as a result of the devastating effects of the Second World War in the country. As a result, many schools were executing with insufficient funds, leading to necessary facilities lacking in most schools. The R.L.O. was a result of an at the time rare successful collaboration between a variety of stakeholders, making it an interesting case study for research after its execution. As a result of the approval of the various stakeholders of the R.L.O. after project completion, the Dutch Ministeries of Education and of Culture established a Commission of Multifunctional Accommodations, which was in charge of researching how educational buildings could be used by third parties after school hours. Architect Rutger D. Bleeker, the architect of the R.L.O., had a place in this commission as well. After publishing two reports with their findings in 1975 and 1980, the C.M.A.’s findings were picked up by the Dutch government and used to inspire other schools in the Netherlands to open their doors for multifunctional use. The research question guiding this research is ‘To what extent did the R.L.O. have a significant impact on the Dutch educational system in the second half of the 20th century?’. At the end of the paper, it is found that the R.L.O.’s impact on the Dutch educational sector at the time was extensive and deep rooted, especially in its example of successful stakeholder relationship management and collaboration.AR2A011Architectural History ThesisArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Science
Management zones in transboundary aquifers: A review of delineation methods under a new framework of cross-border groundwater impacts
No full textAttention on the use of transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and their cross-border impacts is growing as countries become increasingly concerned about their long-term water security. Cross-border impacts, in groundwater quality and quantity, tend to concentrate in specific parts of TBAs, as they largely depend on the transboundary flow dynamics where anthropogenic actions operate. Thus, there is a growing consensus that strategies intended to prevent or mitigate such impacts should be implemented in strategic zones rather than in the whole TBA. These transboundary groundwater management zones (TGMZs) are relatively recent but have become a prominent topic in TBA management. However, until now, limited effort has been put into exploring the concept of TGMZs and the methods for their delineation. This research aims to fill these gaps and provide a basis for the delineation of TGMZs, thus helping neighbouring countries meet international responsibilities regarding the right to use and enjoy groundwater in TBAs. By reviewing academic and grey literature accessible from public sources, we present an overview of the concept and terminology of TGMZs, the approaches proposed for their delineation, and current operating examples. Additionally, we build a conceptual framework for assessing cross-border groundwater impacts by identifying their typologies and causal factors. We then apply our framework to evaluate and compare three reported methods which identify and delineate TGMZs from distinct perspectives, thereby gaining insights into their principles, performances, and limitations. Finally, we provide recommendations for further research towards optimising methods for delineating TGMZs.Water ResourcesSanitary Engineerin
From thermal comfort to heat mitigation action: A reproducible QGIS plugin for calculating the physiological equivalent temperature in Dutch cities for informed strategies for mitigating heat stress in public spaces, in a Rotterdam case study
No full textIn the summer of 2023, heatwaves became quite prominent in the south of Europe. Due to the extreme heat, the health of those citizens was affected. The Netherlands Meteorological Institute predicts an increase in heatwaves in the future for the Netherlands as well. The main research question is how to propose a strategy for a liveable environment by designing public spaces while mitigating heat stress for vulnerable target groups in the context of Bospolder Tussendijken in Rotterdam. This research questions also how a reproducible tool could help identify heat stress and test design interventions in Dutch cities. The research included a literature review, expert consultations, scenario planning, modelling of the urban environment and mapping techniques. Comparing the heat stress software reproducibility, computation time, possibility to test design interventions and the scale of modelling were important. Improvements in the reproducibility of the PET map of Koopmans et al. (2020) are made by creating an open-accessible QGIS plugin applicable to Dutch cities. This helps urban designers to indicate and test their design interventions. Refinement of the wind calculation contributed to speeding up calculation times of the wind for neighbourhood and city scale areas. Future research should focus on some refinement in PET calibration to work properly, and advanced wind modelling is required for urban design practices. The application in the Rotterdam test case study emphasizes the importance of maintaining liveability now and in the future. By enhancing social liveability and physical liveability within a network of heat-mitigating interventions liveability is guaranteed. By revealing the vulnerable groups and their social interactions on a summer day, the most frequently used routes are qualified for refurbishment. Based on the current quality of social space and walkable environment, ownership and degree of open space on the street level, the interventions are chosen for the situation. The research emphasized the importance of identifying heat stress in public spaces and the need for urgent action to maintain the quality of life in the future. By integrating informed strategies from multiple fields like Geomatics and Urbanism a climate-adaptive and healthy environment can take shape.Double degree in Geomatics and Urbanism. The geomatics report part focuses on the a reproducible QGIS plugin for calculating the physiological equivalent temperature in Dutch cities. The Urbanism report part focuses on the application and urban design by informed strategies for mitigating PET heat stress in public spaces for vulnerable groups – a Rotterdam case study.Architecture, Urbanism and Building SciencesArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | UrbanismGeomatic
Living with Water: A Historical Exploration of Dutch Architectural Responses to Rising Water Levels within its Borders
No full textThe world is warming up, causing a rise in water levels. The Netherlands has a rich history in the field of water protection: throughout the centuries, the country has increasingly improved its defenses with the help of new techniques, technological advancements, and better regulated management. However, since the end of the previous century, there has been a shift in the way water is dealt with. No langer is the motto "keeping the water out," but rather "learning to live with water." This thesis investigates the reasons behind this change in Dutch policy by answering the following question: 'What are the historica/ architectura/ adaptations of the Netherlands before 1953 to effectively hand/e water within the face of rising water levels and why did this strategy change after 1953 from 'keeping the water out' to 'learning to live with water?' To answer this question correctly, two periods, each with sub-periods, have been examined: before the flood disaster of 1953, and from 1953 to the present. When examinIng the sub-periods, the relationship between catastrophic events, water management, and technological advancements was looked at. By addressing architectural cases, this relationship could be clearly defined. The results indicate a correlation between when these events occur and how they are responded to with technology and water management. Another correlation was observed in how technological progress also led to better organization: improved technology enabled larger projects, which in turn required larger farms of water management. However, the flood disaster of 1953 revealed that there is a limit to protection against water. The floods of 1953, 1993, and 1995 made the Dutch realize that merely protecting against water is not sufficient; a new strategy of water management was needed, one in which we also learn to live with water. This strategy must ensure that the Netherlands remains safe from water in the future, even with the expected rise in sea-and river levels.AR2A011Architectural History ThesisArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Science
Sinks to Rise | From Carbon to Construction: An integrated approach of nature-based carbon storage and bio-based building materials
No full textIn an era marked by pressing environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, our project embarked on a transformative journey, envisioning a future where nature-based strategies not only combat climate change but also foster economic prosperity and social justice.With CO2 emissions reaching alarming levels and posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and global stability, conventional approaches to combat climate change often fall short in addressing the intricate interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. Our research sought to tackle this challenge towards a just transition to a low-carbon economy: “How can we design a circular economy of carbon storage focussing on nature-based solutions?" Grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity, our approach initially focused on proposing nature-based solutions to reduce CO2 levels. However, recognizing the need for a holistic transformation, our methodology evolved to integrate bio-based economy concepts and community-centric design principles. This involved a rigorous examination of existing policies, spatial analyses, and stakeholder engagement to develop a comprehensive strategy.The overarching goal was to present a visionary blueprint for transforming land use, emphasizing nature-based solutions as central to carbon mitigation efforts while fostering economic development and social resilience. This entailed the creation of green corridors, the establishment of productive communities, and the promotion of collaboration within the bio-based economy.Through our research, we identified forests and wetlands as beneficial nature-based storage methods for the Netherlands, with significant potential to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite spatial conflicts and implementation challenges, investing in the bio-based economy, particularly in construction using bio-based materials, emerged as a promising avenue for economic growth. Our phased approach to implementation outlined pathways for achieving equitable CO2 reduction while maximizing environmental and social benefits.Our work extends far beyond environmental conservation. By presenting a transformative vision that integrates nature-based solutions with socio-economic considerations, we offer a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and communities to navigate the complexities of climate change mitigation. This matters because it signals a paradigm shift towards sustainable development, where the preservation of nature goes hand in hand with economic prosperity and social equity, ensuring a resilient and thriving future for generations to come.AR2U086 R&D Studio – Spatial Strategies for the Global MetropolisAR2U088 R&D Methodology for UrbanismArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Urbanis
The principle of magnetic flux switch
No full textThis paper introduces an innovative Magnetic Switch (MFS) designed to control and alter magnetic flux within energy system components, offering an alternative to conventional power electronic devices. The MFS comprises a low-current control coil, a control core, and a high-density magnetic flux-carrying main core combined with a main coil energy system. In this novel magnetic configuration, when a low-power current excites the control coil, the magnetic flux in the main core (supplied by the main coil) decreases to nearly zero. Conversely, when the control coil disconnects from the power source, the magnetic flux within the main core attains its maximum value. This operation positions the MFS as a groundbreaking concept within magnetic-based energy systems, akin to transistors in power electronics. The main outcomes of the MFS concept are that it can vary the magnetic flux of the main core in the large range, and it is a fast magnetic switch with a simple and low power loss control circuit and an independent control coil from the main coil. Analytical studies thoroughly elucidate the performance and advantages of this proposed magnetic switch, substantiated by Finite Element Method simulations and experimental prototype outcomes.Intelligent Electrical Power GridsHigh Voltage Technology Grou
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