Disseny, implementació i avaluació d'un joc tangible basat en puzles per aprendre concepte de les enginyeries TIC

L'interès per les carreres relacionades amb les enginyeries del camp de les Tecnologies de la Informació i la Comunicació (TIC) va caient any rere any i això es tradueix en menys matriculacions per cada any que passa. Una de les causes principals és la falta de motivació i interès envers aquestes carreres. Aquest problema s’atribueix a que les metodologies d’aprenentatge tradicionals no s’adeqüen a les necessitats i requeriments dels estudiants d’avui dia, que han crescut envoltats de tecnologia, i se’ls coneix amb el nom en anglès de digitalnatives.L’aprenentatge basat en jocs sorgeix com a una possible solució per afrontar aquesta falta d’interès per les àrees del coneixement relacionades amb les enginyeries TIC. Aquest mètode d'aprenentatge consisteix en que els estudiants aprenguin conceptes de les TIC mentre estan jugant a un joc. Per tant, en el context d’aquest PFC, ens centrarem en el disseny i implementació d’un joc per aprendre conceptes bàsics de les enginyeries TIC. En concret, el disseny d’aquest joc segueix les característiques definides per un model conceptual que descriuquins són els elements necessaris per crear jocs basats en puzles: quins són els elements principals que componen aquests tipus de joc i quines pistes es poden afegir per guiar a l’estudiant en el procés d’aprenentatge amb el joc. Per altra banda, pel que fa a laimplementació del joc, s’utilitzarà tecnologia basada en interfícies tangibles.Per tal d’analitzar el joc basat en puzles que s’ha dissenyat i implementat per aprendre conceptes basics de les Enginyeries TIC, s’ha portat a terme una avaluació amb estudiants d’un centre educatiu. Aspectes com el disseny de pistes, l’experiència dels estudiants amb el joc il’aprenentatge amb el joc seran analitzats per extreure les conclusions oportunes.

Disseny, implementació i avaluació d'un joc tangible basat en puzles per a l'aprenentatge d'arquitectura d'ordinadors

Actualment existeix una falta d'interès per part dels estudiants a l'àrea de les enginyeries en Tecnologies de la Informació i la Comunicació (TIC) que es pot veure reflectida en el descens de les matriculacions universitàries en aquest àmbit. Aquest fet està relacionat amb que la nova generació d‟estudiants està constantment en contacte amb tota mena d'aparells tecnològics estimulants i a l‟hora de l‟estudi poden sofrir una falta d‟interès per l‟ús d‟una metodologia d'aprenentatge més tradicional. En aquest sentit s'ha investigat que l‟ús de jocs com a eina educativa pot ser una bona solució per afrontar aquesta falta d'interès. No obstant això, actualment no existeixen gaires jocs destinats a aprendre conceptes relacionats amb les enginyeries TIC i que proporcionin als estudiants els mecanismes d'ajuda necessaris per donar-los suport durant l'aprenentatge d‟aquests nous conceptes. En aquest projecte es desenvoluparà un joc educatiu per a estudiants amb l‟objectiu de proporcionar uns primers coneixements sobre les TIC. Per una banda, per al disseny del joc s‟utilitzarà un model conceptual que defineix els elements necessaris per a dissenyar jocs basats en resoldre puzles. A més, aquest model conceptual permet el disseny no només de jocs per a PCs, sinó també de jocs tangibles i exploratius (mitjançant tecnologia mòbil). En el nostre cas, ens centrarem en la implementació d‟un joc tangible. Per altra banda, pel que fa a la implementació, tindrem en compte l‟estàndard educatiu d‟IMS Learning Design, demostrant d‟aquesta manera que aquest tipus de jocs es poden beneficiar dels avantatges que aporten els estàndards educatius. Per tant, en aquest PFC es dissenyarà i implementarà un joc tangible basat en puzles dintre de l‟àrea d‟arquitectura d‟ordinadors. El joc constarà de tres mini-jocs que es presentaran com jocs de realitat augmentada amb el suport d‟un ordinador i unes peces físiques amb les que interactuaran els usuaris. El sistema proporcionarà un sistema d‟ajuda i un sistema de puntuació. Per últim, avaluarem el joc en un centre escolar amb estudiants de 4t d‟ESO amb la finalitat d'analitzar les valoracions dels estudiants respecte el joc i les pistes proporcionades.

Empresas, instituciones y red social: la Compañía Hispanoamericana de Electricidad (CHADE) entre Barcelona y Buenos Aires

En este trabajo se presenta la vinculación entre la Casa de América de Barcelona y la Compañía Hispanoamericana de Electricidad (CHADE) en Buenos Aires a través del estudio de tres momentos: primero, la fundación de la asociación y la presencia de Francisco Cambó en el Centro Jurídico Iberoamericano; segundo, la fundación de la CHADE para salvar los capitales alemanes del pago de reparaciones económicas a los Aliados por su participación en la Primera Guerra Mundial; y tercero, la conversión de la asociación americanista barcelonesa en Instituto de Economía Americana (IDEA)-Casa de América para reforzar su naturaleza internacional en consonancia con la Sociedad de Naciones, así como el declive de la asociación por la interrupción de remesas de capital del Cono Sur que llegaban a Barcelona en forma de subsidios para la asociación americanista.

A new maximum likelihood method for luminosity calibrations

A new statistical parallax method using the Maximum Likelihood principle is presented, allowing the simultaneous determination of a luminosity calibration, kinematic characteristics and spatial distribution of a given sample. This method has been developed for the exploitation of the Hipparcos data and presents several improvements with respect to the previous ones: the effects of the selection of the sample, the observational errors, the galactic rotation and the interstellar absorption are taken into account as an intrinsic part of the formulation (as opposed to external corrections). Furthermore, the method is able to identify and characterize physically distinct groups in inhomogeneous samples, thus avoiding biases due to unidentified components. Moreover, the implementation used by the authors is based on the extensive use of numerical methods, so avoiding the need for simplification of the equations and thus the bias they could introduce. Several examples of application using simulated samples are presented, to be followed by applications to real samples in forthcoming articles.

A photometric analysis of the Cepheus OB3 region

Results are presented on Stromgren-Crawford uvby-beta photometry carried out at Calar Alto (Spain) for 45 stars in the Cepheus OB3 region covering an apparent area of 6 deg x 6 deg. The relationship of these stars with the association is examined. Three of these stars (BD +62 deg 2114, BD +62 deg 2152, and BD +62 deg 2156) are identified as members of this association, while two more (BD +64 deg 1714 and BD +64 deg 1717) are classified as possible members. It is noted that intrinsic colors and absolute magnitudes of member stars are consistent with the hypothesis of Blaauw (1964) and Garmany (1973) of the existence of two subgroups with different evolutionary phases.

Photometric and spectroscopic survey of the cluster of galaxies Abell A2218

We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of objects in the field of the cluster of galaxies Abell 2218. The photometric survey, centered on the cluster core, extends to a field of about 4 x 4 arcmin. It was performed in 5 bands (B,g,r,i and z filters). This sample, which includes 729 objects, is about three times larger than the survey made by Butcher and collaborators (Butcher et al., 1983, Butcher and Oemler, 1984) in the same central region of the field. Only 228 objects appear in both catalogues since our survey covers a smaller region. The spectral range covered by our filters is wider and the photometry is much deeper, up to magnitude 27 in r. The spectroscopic survey concerns 66 objects, on a field comparable to that of Butcher and collaborators. From our observations we calculate the mean redshift of the cluster, 0.1756, and its velocity dispersion, 1370 km/s. The spectral types are determined for many galaxies in the sample by comparing their spectra with synthetic ones from Rocca-Volmerange and Guiderdoni (1988).

A limited area model intercomparison on the "Montserrat-2000" flash-flood event using statistical and deterministic methods

In the scope of the European project Hydroptimet, INTERREG IIIB-MEDOCC programme, limited area model (LAM) intercomparison of intense events that produced many damages to people and territory is performed. As the comparison is limited to single case studies, the work is not meant to provide a measure of the different models' skill, but to identify the key model factors useful to give a good forecast on such a kind of meteorological phenomena. This work focuses on the Spanish flash-flood event, also known as "Montserrat-2000" event. The study is performed using forecast data from seven operational LAMs, placed at partners' disposal via the Hydroptimet ftp site, and observed data from Catalonia rain gauge network. To improve the event analysis, satellite rainfall estimates have been also considered. For statistical evaluation of quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs), several non-parametric skill scores based on contingency tables have been used. Furthermore, for each model run it has been possible to identify Catalonia regions affected by misses and false alarms using contingency table elements. Moreover, the standard "eyeball" analysis of forecast and observed precipitation fields has been supported by the use of a state-of-the-art diagnostic method, the contiguous rain area (CRA) analysis. This method allows to quantify the spatial shift forecast error and to identify the error sources that affected each model forecasts. High-resolution modelling and domain size seem to have a key role for providing a skillful forecast. Further work is needed to support this statement, including verification using a wider observational data set.

Statistical analysis and modelling of weather radar beam propagation conditions in the Po Valley (Italy)

Ground clutter caused by anomalous propagation (anaprop) can affect seriously radar rain rate estimates, particularly in fully automatic radar processing systems, and, if not filtered, can produce frequent false alarms. A statistical study of anomalous propagation detected from two operational C-band radars in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna is discussed, paying particular attention to its diurnal and seasonal variability. The analysis shows a high incidence of anaprop in summer, mainly in the morning and evening, due to the humid and hot summer climate of the Po Valley, particularly in the coastal zone. Thereafter, a comparison between different techniques and datasets to retrieve the vertical profile of the refractive index gradient in the boundary layer is also presented. In particular, their capability to detect anomalous propagation conditions is compared. Furthermore, beam path trajectories are simulated using a multilayer ray-tracing model and the influence of the propagation conditions on the beam trajectory and shape is examined. High resolution radiosounding data are identified as the best available dataset to reproduce accurately the local propagation conditions, while lower resolution standard TEMP data suffers from interpolation degradation and Numerical Weather Prediction model data (Lokal Model) are able to retrieve a tendency to superrefraction but not to detect ducting conditions. Observing the ray tracing of the centre, lower and upper limits of the radar antenna 3-dB half-power main beam lobe it is concluded that ducting layers produce a change in the measured volume and in the power distribution that can lead to an additional error in the reflectivity estimate and, subsequently, in the estimated rainfall rate.

An observational study of the 7 September 2005 Barcelona tornado outbreak

This paper presents an observational study of the tornado outbreak that took place on the 7 September 2005 in the Llobregat delta river, affecting a densely populated and urbanised area and the Barcelona International airport (NE Spain). The site survey confirmed at least five short-lived tornadoes. Four of them were weak (F0, F1) and the other one was significant (F2 on the Fujita scale). They started mostly as waterspouts and moved later inland causing extensive damage estimated in 9 million Euros, three injured people but fortunately no fatalities. Large scale forcing was provided by upper level diffluence and low level warm air advection. Satellite and weather radar images revealed the development of the cells that spawned the waterspouts along a mesoscale convergence line in a highly sheared and relatively low buoyant environment. Further analysis indicated characteristics that could be attributed indistinctively to non-supercell or to mini-supercell thunderstorms.

Exploring the connection between the stellar wind and the non-thermal emission in LS 5039

Context.LS 5039 has been observed with several X-ray instruments so far showing quite steady emission in the long term and no signatures of accretion disk. The source also presents X-ray variability at orbital timescales in flux and photon index. The system harbors an O-type main sequence star with moderate mass-loss. At present, the link between the X-rays and the stellar wind is unclear. Aims.We study the X-ray fluxes, spectra, and absorption properties of LS 5039 at apastron and periastron passages during an epoch of enhanced stellar mass-loss, and the long term evolution of the latter in connection with the X-ray fluxes. Methods.New XMM-Newton observations were performed around periastron and apastron passages in September 2005, when the stellar wind activity was apparently higher. April 2005 Chandra observations on LS 5039 were revisited. Moreover, a compilation of H EW data obtained since 1992, from which the stellar mass-loss evolution can be approximately inferred, was carried out. Results.XMM-Newton observations show higher and harder emission around apastron than around periastron. No signatures of thermal emission or a reflection iron line indicating the presence of an accretion disk are found in the spectrum, and the hydrogen column density () is compatible with being the same in both observations and consistent with the interstellar value. 2005 Chandra observations show a hard X-ray spectrum, and possibly high fluxes, although pileup effects preclude conclusive results from being obtained. The H EW shows yearly variations of 10%, and does not seem to be correlated with X-ray fluxes obtained at similar phases, unlike what is expected in the wind accretion scenario. Conclusions.2005 XMM-Newton and Chandra observations are consistent with 2003 RXTE/PCA results, namely moderate flux and spectral variability at different orbital phases. The constancy of the seems to imply that either the X-ray emitter is located at 1012 cm from the compact object, or the density in the system is 3 to 27 times smaller than that predicted by a spherical symmetric wind model. We suggest that the multiwavelength non-thermal emission of LS 5039 is related to the observed extended radio jets and is unlikely to be produced inside the binary system.

Inserció laboral dels titulats en Biblioteconomia i Documentació per la Universitat de Barcelona

[eng] The article presents the results of a study regarding job placement of University of Barcelona LIS alumni -of the 3-year (diplomatura) degree measured over the past 5 graduating classes and of the Bachelor degree (llicenciatura) between 2000-June 2003. Twelve years after the first study on this topic, this study demonstrates that the labour market continues to expand and steadily absorb the LIS graduates.

El sistema de gestión documental de la Universitat de Barcelona en el marco de la Administración electrónica: un elemento más para fomentar la mejora continua

[eng] We describe the project for the organization of the documentary management system at the University of Barcelona, which is inspired by the opportunities presented by the introduction of electronic administration. We stress the function of the documentary management system as an agent for promoting continuous innovation and improvement. We illustrate this vision with a description of the process of introducing the documentary management system in the area of research.

La enseñanza de la Biblioteconomía en Barcelona: de la Escola a la Facultat de Biblioteconomia i Documentació

El objetivo de estas páginas es reflejar la evolución que ha seguido la enseñanza de la Biblioteconomía en la Escola Superior de Bibliotecàries de Barcelona desde su creación en 1915 hasta su presencia actual en la Facultat de Biblioteconomia i Documentació de la Universitat de Barcelona.