An integrated approach for analysing and assessing the performance of virtual learning groups

Collaborative distance learning involves a variety of elements and factors that have to be considered and measured in order to analyse and assess group and individual performance more effectively and objectively. This paper presents an approach that integrates qualitative, social network analysis (SNA) and quantitative techniques for evaluating online collaborative learning interactions. Integration of various different data sources, tools and techniques provides a more complete and robust framework for group modelling and guarantees a more efficient evaluation of group effectiveness and individual competence. Our research relies on the analysis of a real, long-term, complex collaborative experience, which is initially evaluated in terms of principled criteria and a basic qualitative process. At the end of the experience, the coded student interactions are further analysed through the SNA technique to assess participatory aspects, identify the most effective groups and the most prominent actors. Finally, the approach is contrasted and completed through a statistical technique which sheds more light on the results obtained that far. The proposal draws a well-founded line toward the development of a principled framework for the monitoring and analysis of group interaction and group scaffolding which can be considered a major issue towards the actual application of the CSCL proposals to real classrooms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Simulation of Single and Twin Impinging Jets in Cross-flow of VTOL Aircrafts (Review)

When operating near the ground beneath a Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) aircraft a complex turbulent 3D flow is generated. This flow field can be represented by the configuration of twin impinging jets in a cross-flow. Studying these jets is a significant parameter for the design of VTOL aircraft. This flowfield during very low speed or hover flight operations is very complex and time dependent. An important number of experimental researches and simulations have been carried out to be able to understand much better these flows related with powered lift vehicles. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach will be used in this paper work for simulation purposes of a single and twin impinging jet through and without crossflow

Design and construction of a hydraulic channel of variable slope

En este artículo se presenta el diseño, construcción, calibración y validación a través de prácticas experimentales usando un canal hidráulico de pendiente variable. El equipo forma parte del Laboratorio de Hidráulica de la Universidad Manuela Beltrán sede Cajicá en Colombia. El equipo se compone de un soporte estructural en aluminio de 5 metros de largo, un banco hidráulico de 250 litros, un canal rectangular en acrílico de 5 metros de largo, sensores de caudal y presión de bajo costo. Como novedad en comparación a otros prototipos similares, se incluyó un sistema hidráulico acoplado a un sensor de presión para registrar los cambios de presión en diferentes zonas del canal con mayor grado de precisión. Esta herramienta brindará apoyo a estudiantes, docentes e investigadores en los campos de hidráulica, ingeniería ambiental y áreas afines. Finalmente, la validación del funcionamiento del canal se da mediante la reproducción exitosa de experimentos propuestos en la literatura.In this article the design, construction, calibration and validation through experimental assays using a hydraulic channel of variable slope, is presented. This device is part of the Hydraulics Laboratory of the University Manuela Beltrán, campus Cajicá in Colombia. The experimental setup consists of a structural aluminum support of 5m long, a hydraulic bench of 250 liters, a rectangular acrylic channel of 5 meters long, and low-cost flow and pressure sensors. As a novelty, and different from other similar laboratories, a hydraulic system which was coupled to a pressure sensor for recording pressure changes in different areas of the channel with a higher degree of accuracy was included. This tool will provide the necessary support to students, teachers and researchers in the fields of hydraulics, environmental engineering and related areas. Finally, performance validation of the channel was provided by the successful reproduction of experiments proposed in the literature

Design and construction of a hydraulic channel of variable slope

En este artículo se presenta el diseño, construcción, calibración y validación a través de prácticas experimentales usando un canal hidráulico de pendiente variable. El equipo forma parte del Laboratorio de Hidráulica de la Universidad Manuela Beltrán sede Cajicá en Colombia. El equipo se compone de un soporte estructural en aluminio de 5 metros de largo, un banco hidráulico de 250 litros, un canal rectangular en acrílico de 5 metros de largo, sensores de caudal y presión de bajo costo. Como novedad en comparación a otros prototipos similares, se incluyó un sistema hidráulico acoplado a un sensor de presión para registrar los cambios de presión en diferentes zonas del canal con mayor grado de precisión. Esta herramienta brindará apoyo a estudiantes, docentes e investigadores en los campos de hidráulica, ingeniería ambiental y áreas afines. Finalmente, la validación del funcionamiento del canal se da mediante la reproducción exitosa de experimentos propuestos en la literatura.In this article the design, construction, calibration and validation through experimental assays using a hydraulic channel of variable slope, is presented. This device is part of the Hydraulics Laboratory of the University Manuela Beltrán, campus Cajicá in Colombia. The experimental setup consists of a structural aluminum support of 5m long, a hydraulic bench of 250 liters, a rectangular acrylic channel of 5 meters long, and low-cost flow and pressure sensors. As a novelty, and different from other similar laboratories, a hydraulic system which was coupled to a pressure sensor for recording pressure changes in different areas of the channel with a higher degree of accuracy was included. This tool will provide the necessary support to students, teachers and researchers in the fields of hydraulics, environmental engineering and related areas. Finally, performance validation of the channel was provided by the successful reproduction of experiments proposed in the literature

Culture and Psychiatric Evaluation: Operationalizing Cultural Formulation for DSM-5

The Outline for Cultural Formulation (OCF) introduced with DSM-IV provided a framework for clinicians to organize cultural information relevant to diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. However, use of the OCF has been inconsistent, raising questions about the need for guidance on implementation, training, and application in diverse settings. To address this need, DSM-5 introduced a cultural formulation interview (CFI) that operationalizes the process of data collection for the OCF. The CFI includes patient and informant versions and 12 supplementary modules addressing specific domains of the OCF. This article summarizes the literature reviews and analyses of experience with the OCF conducted by the DSM-5 Cross-Cultural Issues Subgroup (DCCIS) that informed the development of the CFI. We review the history and contents of the DSM-IV OCF, its use in training programs, and previous attempts to render it operational through questionnaires, protocols, and semi-structured interview formats. Results of research based on the OCF are discussed. For each domain of the OCF, we summarize findings from the DCCIS that led to content revision and operationalization in the CFI. The conclusion discusses training and implementation issues essential to service delivery

State estimation of a dehydration process by interval analysis

This article presents a general methodology of state estimation by interval analysis in a dynamic system modeled by difference equations. The methodology is applied to a pineapple osmotic dehydration process, in order to predict the behavior of the process within a range of allowed perturbation. The paper presents simulations and validations

Identification of Autophagy as a Functional Target Suitable for the Pharmacological Treatment of Mitochondrial Membrane Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (MPAN) In Vitro

Mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the C19orf12 gene. C19orf12 has been implicated in playing a role in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and autophagy, however, the precise functions remain unknown. To identify new robust cellular targets for small compound treatments, we evaluated reported mitochondrial function alterations, cellular signaling, and autophagy in a large cohort of MPAN patients and control fibroblasts. We found no consistent alteration of mitochondrial functions or cellular signaling messengers in MPAN fibroblasts. In contrast, we found that autophagy initiation is consistently impaired in MPAN fibroblasts and show that C19orf12 expression correlates with the amount of LC3 puncta, an autophagy marker. Finally, we screened 14 different autophagy modulators to test which can restore this autophagy defect. Amongst these compounds, carbamazepine, ABT-737, LY294002, oridonin, and paroxetine could restore LC3 puncta in the MPAN fibroblasts, identifying them as novel potential therapeutic compounds to treat MPAN. In summary, our study confirms a role for C19orf12 in autophagy, proposes LC3 puncta as a functionally robust and consistent readout for testing compounds, and pinpoints potential therapeutic compounds for MPAN.</p