AVALIANDO A GESTÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA PONTO A PONTO: ESTUDO DE CASO

O processo de avaliação do ensino superior segue duas vertentes principais: a avaliação centrada no planejamento institucional com metas e indicadores globais bem definidos e a avaliação setorizada ou pontual que permite uma visão detalhada das rotinas e envolvimento dos indivíduos com a instituição. Neste trabalho apresentamos os resultados da avaliação pontual interna e externa de um setor administrativo da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. A avaliação foi realizada através análise de questionários com questões abertas e de resposta induzida. Os questionários foram preenchidos anonimamente e de forma voluntária por servidores da unidade (32 respondidos de 34 questionários enviados) e por usuários dos serviços da unidade (81 respondidos de 138 questionários enviados). Os resultados mostram, entre outros, os seguintes pontos positivos da avaliação interna: alto grau de envolvimento dos servidores com o processo de avaliação; satisfação com o trabalho; ambiente de trabalho propício à troca de idéias. Dos pontos negativos podemos ressaltar: os servidores sentem uma distribuição desigual da carga de trabalho no setor e fora dele e manifestam a falta de reuniões periódicas com as chefias. A avaliação externa revela respostas elogiosas ao trabalho do setor mas também que parte dos serviços prestados não são bem conhecidos da comunidade universitária. A auto avaliação é mais severa do que a avaliação externa, mostrando o espírito crítico dos servidores do setor. A avaliação permite recomendar ações concretas para reforçar os pontos positivos e minimizar os aspectos negativos como, por exemplo, o estabelecimento de uma agenda de reuniões periódicas entre servidores e chefias. Concluímos, além dos resultados diretos, que a avaliação setorizada é um mecanismo válido de diagnóstico da gestão e que existe, na comunidade universitária, um ambiente propício à continuidade da aplicação deste método

Higher Dimensional Classical W-Algebras

Classical $W$-algebras in higher dimensions are constructed. This is achieved by generalizing the classical Gel'fand-Dickey brackets to the commutative limit of the ring of classical pseudodifferential operators in arbitrary dimension. These $W$-algebras are the Poisson structures associated with a higher dimensional version of the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya hierarchy (dispersionless KP-hierarchy). The two dimensional case is worked out explicitly and it is shown that the role of Diff$S(1)$ is taken by the algebra of generators of local diffeomorphisms in two dimensions.Comment: 22 pages, Plain TeX, KUL-TF-92/19, US-FT/6-9

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BRAIN STROKE AND COVID-19: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Objetivo: Revisar a literatura acerca das teorias que buscam explicar a possível relação entre a COVID-19 e o AVC. Método: Realizou-se busca na literatura científica nas seguintes bases de dados: SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Pubmed e Google Sholar. Os descritores utilizados na pesquisa foram: COVID-19, Stroke, Interrelation e Prognosis. Resultados: Os achados desta pesquisa incluem a relação da COVID-19 com os seus fatores de risco, a ligação do vírus Sars-Cov-2 com a Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (ECA), e ainda, as respostas inflamatórias desencadeadas pelo vírus em sua clara relação com o desencadeamento do AVC. Conclusão: É evidente a relação entre a presença do COVID-19 no organismo humano e a maior predisposição para se desenvolver o AVC, no entanto, novos estudos são necessários para que seja possível aprofundar o conhecimento neste tema, bem como consolidar as teorias envolvendo seu mecanismo.Objective: To review the literature on the theories that seek to explain the possible relationship between COVID-19 and stroke. Method: The scientific databases were searched in the following databases: SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Pubmed and Google Sholar. The descriptors used in the research were: COVID-19, Stroke, Interrelation and Prognosis. Results: The findings of this research include the relationship between COVID-19 and its risk factors, the connection of the Sars-Cov-2 virus with the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE), and also, the inflammatory responses triggered by the virus in its clear relationship with the onset of stroke. Conclusion: The relationship between the presence of COVID-19 in the human organism and a greater predisposition to develop stroke is evident, however, further studies are necessary to be able to deepen the knowledge on this topic, as well as to consolidate the theories involving its mechanism

Spatio-temporal variability of mid-size pelagic fishes in the Gulf of Cadiz shelf waters in relation to climatic and environmental drivers

Modeling spatio-temporal patterns of mid-size pelagic fish species (MSPFS) distribution and density is of great interest from the standpoint of both their management and conservation. Herein, temporal changes in the spatial patterns of five MSPFS off the Gulf of Cadiz are analyzed from acoustic surveys data (2007-2017). In particular, we evaluated intra-specific variability over time and space and relate such fluctuations to environmental and climatic drivers aimed to provide support to the implementation of a future ecosystem approach to fisheries management in this region

Survey and characterization of corbelled dome architecture in Northwestern Portugal

The act of overlaying stones to build masonry structures is one of mankind’s most intuitive and resourceful achievements. Masonry buildings can be found all over the world, built with a wide diversity of materials and serving for all kind of purposes. In rural northwestern Portugal, in a granitic highland landscape of scarce resources, for centuries, local farmers used masonry in order to make the territory suitable for farming. In their effort to increase production and, by doing so, to improve their living conditions, a specific mountain agro-pastoral system was developed. Supported by communitarian labour, this system was based on terrace farming and temporary mountain plateau settlements, called brandas, composed of granite corbelled dome buildings. In spite of its perfect adaptation to the harsh local conditions, this heritage’s morphological and typological diversity and constructive inventiveness is endangered due to decades of rural exodus and, thus requiring urgent study and protection. The research project aims to study this heritage from morphological, typological and constructive points of view, with the objective of proposing guidelines towards its preservation. To achieve the established goals, a four stage based methodology was established. Literature review and fieldwork surveys were performed in the first stage, in order to identify possible case studies. On the second stage, an exhaustive geometrical survey and a case study analysis were undertaken and complemented with the local granite’s physical and mechanical characterization. The third stage aims to do an overall structural safety evaluation of the corbelled domes, based on numerical analysis. In the final stage, consolidation and preservation guidelines to safeguard this architectural heritage will be proposed. This paper presents the results of the first stage, along with a glimpse of the second stage.The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, for all the support given, and to the Equipa de Sapadores Florestais do Gabinete Técnico Florestal do Município e da Associação Floresta Atlântica. The first and fifth authorswishto express theirgratitude to the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation for the scholarshipsgranted (SFRH/BD/ 86704/2012 and SFRH/BD/112646/2015).This work was supported by FCT, within ISISE, project UID/ECI/04029/2013

Use and perceptions of pedestrian navigation apps: findings from Bologna and Porto

Pedestrian Navigation Applications (PNAs) provide assistance in terms of self-localization, space recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation. The use, motivations and perceptions associated with these applications have been under investigated due to users being insufficiently involved in their design and development. This paper analyses the extent to which PNAs are used for assisting people to walk, the frequencies and reasons of using these applications, the perceptions about them, and the barriers preventing them from being used. The study is supported by a questionnaire (N = 1438) that was administered in Bologna (Italy) and Porto (Portugal). Results indicated that 42% of the respondents use PNAs mainly on an occasional basis to find locations and the shortest routes. Google Maps was the preferred navigation service. Statistical tests showed that PNAs were more likely to be used by younger adults and students. The lack of need was the main reason for not using these apps, due to the good spatial knowledge of the cities or the non-use of the pedestrian mode for regular trips. Respondents would like to have apps that are more accurate, usable, and adjusted to pedestrian navigation. The findings described in this paper could be helpful for future designs of PNAs, especially to match pedestrian needs more effectively and to enhance the role of these apps in promoting healthier and sustainable lifestyles.JPI Urban Europe, FCT—PT (ENSUF/0004/2016), MIUR-I, FFG—A and RPF—C

Natural and anthropogenic factors in the Guadalquivir estuary affect the abundance of anchovy in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Spain)

The Gulf of Cadiz socio-ecosystem is characterized by a focal ecosystem component –the estuary of the Guadalquivir River– that has an in uence on the marine ecosystem –serves as a nursery area– and at the same time concentrates a great number of sectoral human activities. This nursery role particularly affects the anchovy fishery, which is the most economically and culturally important fishery in the region. As a transition zone between terrestrial and marine environments, estuaries are particularly sensitive to human activities, either developed directly at the aquatic environment or its surroundings. A dam 110 km upstream from the river mouth regulates freshwater input (mainly for agriculture purposes) into the estuary with consequences on turbidity and salinity. Using time series analysis on 18 years of monthly data from an estuarine monitoring program we (1) quantify the effects that natural (plankton, temperature, winds) and anthropogenic-influenced variables (freshwater volume, turbidity, salinity) have on the abundance of anchovy larvae and juveniles, and (2) relate the abundance of these estuarine-resident early stages to the abundance of adult anchovy in the sea. Water management stands out as a key node where potentially con icting interests (agriculture, power generation, aquaculture, fisheries) converge. Linking land-based activities to its impact on stock biomass represents the main challenge to ecosystem-based management in this particular regional sea. By focusing on the effects that these activities ultimately have on the anchovy fishery –via recruitment– our study aims to contribute to the process of making the ecosystem approach operational in the Gulf of Cadiz

Tactile Sensors Based on Conductive Polymers

This paper presents results from a selection of tactile sensors that have been designed and fabricated. These sensors are based on a common approach that consists in placing a sheet of piezoresistive material on the top of a set of electrodes. We use a thin film of conductive polymer as the piezoresistive mate¬rial. Specifically, a conductive water-based ink of this polymer is deposited by spin coating on a flexible plastic sheet, giving it a smooth, homogeneous and conducting thin film. The main interest in this procedure is that it is cheap and it allows the fabrication of flexible and low cost tactile sensors. In this work we present results from sensors made using two technologies. Firstly, we have used a flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology to fabricate the set of electrodes and addressing tracks. The result is a simple, flexible tactile sensor. In addition to these sensors on PCB, we have proposed, designed and fabricated sensors with screen printing technology. In this case, the set of electrodes and addressing tracks are made by printing an ink based on silver nanoparticles. The intense characterization provides us insights into the design of these tactile sensors.This work has been partially funded by the spanish government under contract TEC2006-12376-C02