Modularization as a path to Efficiency

SIIUE is Universidade de Évora’s Management Integrated Information System, in use since 1999 when it started as a semi-academic project. Today, SIIUE has grown to be the main institutional management tool. In 15 years of existence SIIUE has had many twists and changes. Development architecture and procedures are well defined and known by everyone, yet pressure, timing and fast decisions often speak louder. The need to keep up with all the requests and to achieve quick results frequently leads to unstructured development. With this in mind, the need (and opportunity) to have an IS development methodology that guarantees higher sustainability and reduces the cost of changes became very clear. The goal we aim to achieve is to turn SIIUE into a modular set of reusable building blocks, instead of the monolithic structure it has now. SIIUE has faced many changes since its birth. What is presented here is probably the most drastic of all, because it goes straight to the core and leads to a full re-organization of the IS. Also, it is probably the most important and future-oriented change. In our vision, a real need to guarantee the service and support quality and to open new doors for SIIUE and for Universidade de Évora

O sistema interno de promoção e garantia da qualidade e o sistema de informação integrado da Universidade de Évora

Nos últimos anos a Universidade de Évora (UEvora) tem vindo a efetuar uma aposta estratégica no desenvolvimento de um sistema de informação que integre a monitorização e melhoria continuada das componentes académicas e de investigação com as componentes de garantia de qualidade e de gestão. Neste sentido, a UEvora tem desenvolvido, desde 1993, modelos dinâmicos e sistemáticos de (re)organização interna dos seus procedimentos e práticas, com vista à operacionalização de resultados que garantam a conquista de índices de qualidade evolutivos no tempo, dando assim origem ao Sistema Interno de Promoção e Garantia da Qualidade (SIPGQ). Determinante para o sucesso do SIPGQ tem sido o trabalho dos Serviços de Informática, nomeadamente pelo desenvolvimento, desde 1999, do Sistema de Informação Integrado (SIIUE). O SIIUE é um sistema que foi implementado recorrendo exclusivamente a tecnologias baseadas em software livre, tais como, o sistema gestor de base de dados PostgreSQL e a linguagem PHP, integrando as componentes académicas mais diretamente relacionadas com os alunos (matrículas, inscrições, avaliações) e com os docentes (distribuição de serviço, horários, pautas) com as componentes de investigação e desenvolvimento (gestão de projetos de I&D, contratos de colaboração e prestação de serviços). Tendo em conta o interesse manifestado por diversas instituições de Ensino Superior portuguesas e estrangeiras, a UEvora está a iniciar um processo de consolidação e modularização, visando a sua disponibilização futura a outras instituições. O SIPGQ é o sistema de garantia de qualidade da UEvora e é um dos poucos sistemas que, em Portugal, foi certificado pela A3ES – Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior. O SIPGQ integra indicadores elaborados com informação base proveniente do SIIUE, assim como o resultado de inquéritos de opinião realizados aos alunos sobre as unidades curriculares que frequentaram, o seu curso e a Universidade. Esta integração permite efetuar a geração automática de relatórios de unidades curriculares, de curso e de unidade orgânica. Também o processo de avaliação dos docentes e das unidades orgânicas da UEvora encontram enquadramento e suporte no SIPGQ e no SIIUE, respetivamente. Em suma, tanto o SIIUE e o SIPGQ constituem-se como ferramentas fundamentais para o apoio a uma gestão informada na Universidade de Évora

Apuntes sobre la felicidad en las sociedades de consumo

Introduction: Beliefs about happiness and individual success are constructed through social interactions, as individuals set goals in alignment with societal expectations. Objective: This study aims to analyze beliefs about happiness and individual success from both psychological and sociological perspectives. Method: The analytical-synthetic method was employed in the preparation of this essay. Results: The predominant content in beliefs about happiness pertains to material values, reinforcing the notion that success is closely linked to material possessions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to contemplate the significance of non-material factors, such as health, family, and friendships, among others. Conclusion: Individual happiness and success transcend the material plane; because the way in which we process information and construct value judgments about life also plays a fundamental role on them.Introducción: las creencias sobre la felicidad y el éxito individual se construyen a través de interacciones sociales, cuando los individuos establecen metas alineadas con las expectativas sociales. Objetivo: este estudio pretende analizar las creencias sobre la felicidad y el éxito individual desde las perspectivas psicológica y sociológica. Método: En la elaboración de este ensayo se empleó el método analítico-sintético. Resultados: el contenido predominante en las creencias sobre la felicidad corresponde a los valores materiales, lo que refuerza la noción de que el éxito está estrechamente vinculado a las posesiones materiales. Sin embargo, es crucial contemplar el significado de factores inmateriales, como la salud, la familia y las amistades, entre otros. Conclusión: la felicidad y el éxito individual trascienden el plano material, ya que en ellas también juega un papel fundamental la forma en que las personas procesamos la información y construimos juicios de valor sobre la vid

Evaluation of Prescribed Fires from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Imagery and Machine Learning Algorithms

This article belongs to the Special Issue New Remote Sensing Technologies in Forest Fire Analysis, Prevention and Mitigation[EN] Prescribed fires have been applied in many countries as a useful management tool to prevent large forest fires. Knowledge on burn severity is of great interest for predicting post-fire evolution in such burned areas and, therefore, for evaluating the efficacy of this type of action. In this research work, the severity of two prescribed fires that occurred in “La Sierra de Uría” (Asturias, Spain) in October 2017, was evaluated. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a Parrot SEQUOIA multispectral camera on board was used to obtain post-fire surface reflectance images on the green (550 nm), red (660 nm), red edge (735 nm), and near-infrared (790 nm) bands at high spatial resolution (GSD 20 cm). Additionally, 153 field plots were established to estimate soil and vegetation burn severity. Severity patterns were explored using Probabilistic Neural Networks algorithms (PNN) based on field data and UAV image-derived products. PNN classified 84.3% of vegetation and 77.8% of soil burn severity levels (overall accuracy) correctly. Future research needs to be carried out to validate the efficacy of this type of action in other ecosystems under different climatic conditions and fire regimesSIFIRESEVES (AGL2017-86075-C2-1-R) project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund, and SEFIRECYL (LE001P17

Evaluation of Prescribed Fires from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Imagery and Machine Learning Algorithms

Producción CientíficaPrescribed fires have been applied in many countries as a useful management tool to prevent large forest fires. Knowledge on burn severity is of great interest for predicting post-fire evolution in such burned areas and, therefore, for evaluating the efficacy of this type of action. In this research work, the severity of two prescribed fires that occurred in “La Sierra de Uría” (Asturias, Spain) in October 2017, was evaluated. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a Parrot SEQUOIA multispectral camera on board was used to obtain post-fire surface reflectance images on the green (550 nm), red (660 nm), red edge (735 nm), and near-infrared (790 nm) bands at high spatial resolution (GSD 20 cm). Additionally, 153 field plots were established to estimate soil and vegetation burn severity. Severity patterns were explored using Probabilistic Neural Networks algorithms (PNN) based on field data and UAV image-derived products. PNN classified 84.3% of vegetation and 77.8% of soil burn severity levels (overall accuracy) correctly. Future research needs to be carried out to validate the efficacy of this type of action in other ecosystems under different climatic conditions and fire regimes.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (project AGL2017-86075-C2-1-R)Junta de Castilla y León (project LE001P17

Evaluation of composite burn index and land surface temperature for assessing soil burn severity in mediterranean fire-prone pine ecosystems

Producción CientíficaWe analysed the relationship between burn severity indicators, from remote sensing and field observations, and soil properties after a wildfire in a fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystem. Our study area was a large wildfire in a Pinus pinaster forest. Burn severity from remote sensing was identified by studying immediate post-fire Land Surface Temperature (LST). We also evaluated burn severity in the field applying the Composite Burn Index (CBI) in a total of 84 plots (30 m diameter). In each plot we evaluated litter consumption, ash colour and char depth as visual indicators. We collected soil samples and pH, soil organic carbon, dry aggregate size distribution (MWD), aggregate stability and water repellency were analysed. A controlled heating of soil was also carried out in the laboratory, with soil from the control plots, to compare with the changes produced in soils affected by different severity levels in the field. Our results shown that changes in soil properties affected by wildfire were only observed in soil aggregation in the high severity situation. The laboratory-controlled heating showed that temperatures of about 300 ◦C result in a significant reduction in soil organic carbon and MWD. Furthermore, soil organic carbon showed a significant decrease when LST values increased. Char depth was the best visual indicator to show changes in soil properties (mainly physical properties) in large fires that occur in Mediterranean pine forests. We conclude that CBI and post-fire LST can be considered good indicators of soil burn severity since both indicate the impact of fire on soil properties.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), en el marco del proyecto GESFIRE (AGL2013-48189-C2-1-R)Junta de Castilla y León en el marco del proyecto SEFIRECYL (LE001P17

Evaluation of Composite Burn Index and Land Surface Temperature for Assessing Soil Burn Severity in Mediterranean Fire-Prone Pine Ecosystems

P. 494-509We analysed the relationship between burn severity indicators, from remote sensing and field observations, and soil properties after a wildfire in a fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystem. Our study area was a large wildfire in a Pinus pinaster forest. Burn severity from remote sensing was identified by studying immediate post-fire Land Surface Temperature (LST). We also evaluated burn severity in the field applying the Composite Burn Index (CBI) in a total of 84 plots (30 m diameter). In each plot we evaluated litter consumption, ash colour and char depth as visual indicators. We collected soil samples and pH, soil organic carbon, dry aggregate size distribution (MWD), aggregate stability and water repellency were analysed. A controlled heating of soil was also carried out in the laboratory, with soil from the control plots, to compare with the changes produced in soils affected by different severity levels in the field. Our results shown that changes in soil properties affected by wildfire were only observed in soil aggregation in the high severity situation. The laboratory-controlled heating showed that temperatures of about 300 °C result in a significant reduction in soil organic carbon and MWD. Furthermore, soil organic carbon showed a significant decrease when LST values increased. Char depth was the best visual indicator to show changes in soil properties (mainly physical properties) in large fires that occur in Mediterranean pine forests. We conclude that CBI and post-fire LST can be considered good indicators of soil burn severity since both indicate the impact of fire on soil properties.S

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for forest damage monitoring in south-western Europe

P. 1-8Prescribed burns are being considered as a management tool for the prevention of forest fires in many countries that have important firefighting problems. Knowledge of fire intensity and eliminated vegetation fuel are of great interest to evaluate their effectiveness. Both parameters are directly related to burn severity, so their evaluation is fundamental to predict the post-fire evolution of burned area. In this study we evaluated two prescribed burnings carried out in North of Spain during October 2017 by using multispectral data from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). In particular, four surface reflectance images were obtained in green (550 nm), red (660 nm), red-edge (735 nm) and near infrared (790 nm) at very high spatial resolution (GSD 20 cm) from which different spectral indexes were computed. Additionally, vegetation and soil burn severity was measured in 153 field plots and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) between each spectral index and burn severity (both in vegetation and soil) was performed. A Fisher’s least significant difference test determined that three vegetation burn severity levels and two soil burn severity levels could be statistically distinguished. The identification of such burn severity levels is sufficient and useful to forest managers. We conclude that multispectral data from UAVs may be considered as a valuable indicator of burn severity for prescribed burnings.S

A Large Multicenter Prospective Study of Community-Onset Healthcare Associated Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections in the Era of Multidrug Resistance: Even Worse than Hospital Acquired Infections?

Introduction: Healthcare-associated (HCA) infections represent a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to compare community-onset healthcare associated (CO-HCA) bacteremic urinary tract infections (BUTI) and hospital-acquired (HA)-BUTI with special focus on multidrug resistances (MDR) and outcomes. Methods: ITUBRAS-project is a prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with HCA-BUTI. All consecutive hospitalized adult patients with CO-HCA-BUTI or HA-BUTI episode were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were: patients < 18 years old, non-hospitalized patients, bacteremia from another source or primary bacteremia, non-healthcare-related infections and infections caused by unusual pathogens of the urinary tract. The main outcome variable was 30-day all-cause mortality with day 1 as the first day of positive blood culture. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with clinical cure at hospital discharge and with receiving inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment. Cox regression was used to evaluate 30-day all-cause mortality. Results: Four hundred forty-three episodes were included, 223 CO-HCA-BUTI. Patients with CO-HCA-BUTI were older (p < 0.001) and had more underlying diseases (p = 0.029) than those with HA-BUTI. The severity of the acute illness (Pitt score) was also higher in CO-HCA-BUTI (p = 0.026). Overall, a very high rate of MDR profiles (271/443, 61.2%) was observed, with no statistical differences between groups. In multivariable analysis, inadequate empirical treatment was associated with MDR profile (aOR 3.35; 95% CI 1.77–6.35), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (aOR 2.86; 95% CI 1.27–6.44) and Charlson index (aOR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01–1.23). Mortality was not associated with the site of acquisition of the infection or the presence of MDR profile. However, in the logistic regression analyses patients with CO-HCA-BUTI (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40–0.93) were less likely to present clinical cure. Conclusion: The rate of MDR infections was worryingly high in our study. No differences in MDR rates were found between CO-HCA-BUTI and HA-BUTI, in the probability of receiving inappropriate empirical treatment or in 30-day mortality. However, CO-HCA-BUTIs were associated with worse clinical cure. © 2021, The Author(s)

Ecologías del aprendizaje en contextos docentes de educación expandida: tecnobiografías en la formación inicial del profesorado.

En este trabajo presentamos el proceso llevado a cabo en la innovación docente en dos grupos del Grado de Educación Social (Palencia y Valladolid) durante el primer cuatrimestre. Con este proyecto queremos indagar acerca de las habilidades blandas que consigue nuestro alumnado a través de aprendizajes ubiquos e invisibles, así como en los procesos de construcción de la ciudadanía que realizan. Para ello se elaboró una guía de trabajo en el aula alrededor de la construcción de una tecnobiografía de cada estudiante. Los procesos de trabajo propuestos han sido individuales y colectivos y ha permitido a los estudiantes reflexionar sobre su identidad digital y su relación con las TIC en los dos aspectos focos de nuestra innovación. Los instrumentos de recogida de datos han sido variados: un cuestionario, observaciones, dos plataformas digitales donde se han desarrollado la docencia y los propios productos textuales y audiovisuales que han generado los estudiantes. Los primeros resultados nos ofrecen algunas pistas sobre las habilidades blandas de nuestros estudiantes, tales como el manejo de imágenes fijas y en movimiento, así como una construcción de la ciudadanía líquida a través de una participación social poco activa.Departamento de PedagogíaDepartamento de SociologíaDepartamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales, Sociales y de la MatemáticaDepartamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corpora