Curriculum and assessment - European University Association, Thematic Peer Group Report

This report outlines the conclusions of the Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Group “Curriculum and assessment”, which examined how to embed digitally enhanced learning and teaching (DELT) and digital technologies in the curriculum, and how to design and manage coherent digital assessment so that it truly reflects intended learning outcomes, is engaging, diverse, high quality, and aligned with the curriculum. This report highlights the multiple facets of curriculum and assessment in a digital environment, as well as challenges met by higher education institutions across Europe – such as reaching equity for all students, designing effective institutional strategies to embed DELT into curriculum, supporting teachers in experimenting and innovating with digital teaching, embedding assessment as integral part of curriculum, and developing students’ and teachers’ assessment literacy. The report also provides recommendations to HEIs for addressing such challenges, considering the pandemic context but also beyond it. The group was organised in the context of the “Supporting European universities in their strategic approaches to digital learning” (DIGI-HE) project and EUA’s Learning & Teaching activities

Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis-The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline

Background: The recently introduced 2017 World Workshop on the classification of periodontitis, incorporating stages and grades of disease, aims to link disease classification with approaches to prevention and treatment, as it describes not only disease severity and extent but also the degree of complexity and an individual's risk. There is, therefore, a need for evidence-based clinical guidelines providing recommendations to treat periodontitis. Aim: The objective of the current project was to develop a S3 Level Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the treatment of Stage I–III periodontitis. Material and Methods: This S3 CPG was developed under the auspices of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), following the methodological guidance of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). The rigorous and transparent process included synthesis of relevant research in 15 specifically commissioned systematic reviews, evaluation of the quality and strength of evidence, the formulation of specific recommendations and consensus, on those recommendations, by leading experts and a broad base of stakeholders. Results: The S3 CPG approaches the treatment of periodontitis (stages I, II and III) using a pre-established stepwise approach to therapy that, depending on the disease stage, should be incremental, each including different interventions. Consensus was achieved on recommendations covering different interventions, aimed at (a) behavioural changes, supragingival biofilm, gingival inflammation and risk factor control; (b) supra- and sub-gingival instrumentation, with and without adjunctive therapies; (c) different types of periodontal surgical interventions; and (d) the necessary supportive periodontal care to extend benefits over time. Conclusion: This S3 guideline informs clinical practice, health systems, policymakers and, indirectly, the public on the available and most effective modalities to treat periodontitis and to maintain a healthy dentition for a lifetime, according to the available evidence at the time of publication

Some further analytical results on the solid angle subtended at a point by a circular disk using elliptic integrals

10th International Symposium on Radiation Physics -- SEP 17-22, 2006 -- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra, PORTUGALWOS: 000249741300039A series formulation involving complete elliptic integrals of the first and second kinds for the solid angle subtended at a point by a circular disk is presented. Results from the present model were tested against data sets obtained with previous treatments for the solid angle in order to determine the degree of simplicity and speed of our calculations. 3-D graphs are presented. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Using total abundance as a proxy for wild bee species richness: A practical tool for non-experts

1. As there is growing interest among non-specialists in participating in pollinator conservation initiatives, developing proxies for wild bee species richness that could be potentially used by non-experts can aid conservation, decision support systems for managers and policymakers, and create entry points for future taxonomists.2. We used data from 63 independent studies in which wild bees were sampled, covering all main European habitats and climates. We tested two proxies for wild bee species richness: abundance of all wild bees (excluding the honeybee) and abundance of bumblebees. These proxies require basic taxonomic training and have the potential for routine implementation by non-experts.3. Within-region, the abundance of wild bees was a strong predictor of wild bee species richness at the local scale, with an average correlation exceeding 0.80. Bumblebee abundance was a poorer proxy for total wild bee species richness (correlation coefficient of similar to 0.55) and was unsuitable for warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates. Observed abundance-richness correlations were consistent across climates, habitats and sampling methods, suggesting that, after a simple training, counting all bee individuals in transect walks provides a non-lethal, robust estimate of wild bee species richness. We observed a weak negative relationship between sample coverage and the strength of the abundance-richness correlation.4. Synthesis and applications. The use of a simple but effective proxy could be an important starting point for the expansion of wild bee monitoring initiatives at the regional scale, particularly given the growing involvement of non-specialists. We provided here a simple implementation framework to use this proxy in rapid biodiversity assessments, such as the evaluation of payment-by-result schemes by farmers and measuring the efficacy of conservation actions in urban green areas or protected areas by citizens and site managers, respectively. It is important to stress that we are not advocating for the replacement of the urgently needed long-term monitoring of pollinator status and trends. Instead, we propose that employing an effective proxy for non-experts could enhance the evaluation of many local and regional conservation initiatives that currently lack any basic assessment schemes