Problem-Based Learning Of Heuristic Methods For Decision Problems In Mathematics, Computer Science And Industrial Engineering

In a digitalized world, most processes can be formalised, measured and described mathematically. The use of analytical methods to optimise such models and decisions constitutes operational research (OR), developing new methods for a specific problem and analysing them are part of discrete optimisation (DO). However, there is limited research on OR and application driven DO in higher education. Furthermore, neither is well integrated into engineering education research. In this work, we present a case study of an interdisciplinary Master’s course on heuristic methods in the context of OR and DO. We discuss to what extent wellestablished approaches from engineering education practice, such as ProblemBased Learning, are applicable. Furthermore, we introduce two practical cases and argue that due to its application-oriented nature, OR and DO specifically stimulate independent student work. Results from evaluations, minute papers and student coursework indicate that the teaching approach successfully contributed to students’ achievement of the intended learning outcomes. To further foster discussion, we not only provide the lecture notes publicly, but also all tutorial and project case data to instructors upon request under a CC BY-NC license

The Sensitivity of Infants with Spina Bifida to Sensory Information

Spina bifida (SB) is the most common neural tube defect in the United States. These babies move their legs less often and demonstrate motor milestones significantly later in life than their typically developing (TD) peers. Research has shown TD infants move their legs more or less often depending on the quality and quantity of sensory information they have available to them. Significant milestones such as crawling and walking rely on intra-limb coupling, which occurs when one limb adapts to contextual environmental factors depending on the position of the other limb. Current motor development processes are rooted in theoretical concepts from the Dynamic Systems Theory and the Theory of Neuronal Group Selection. The purpose of this study was to determine if infants with lumbar or sacral SB would move their legs more or less often when confronted with changes in sensory information while seated in an infant seat designed to facilitate movement

Oxygen impairs oligodendroglial development via oxidative stress and reduced expression of HIF-1α

The premature increase of oxygen tension may contribute to oligodendroglial precursor cell (OPC) damage in preterm infants. Fetal OPCs are exposed to low oxygen tissue tensions not matched when cells are cultured in room air. Maturation (A2B5, O4, O1, MBP, CNP, arborization), oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine Western blot, NRF2 and SOD2 expression), apoptosis (TUNEL), proliferation (Ki67), and expression of transcription factors regulated by Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor-1-alpha (Hif-1α) expressed in OPCs (Olig1, Olig2, Sox9, Sox10) were assessed in rat OPCs and OLN93 cells cultured at 5% O2 and 21% O2. Influences of Hif-1α were investigated by Hif-1α luciferase reporter assays and Hif-1α-knockdown experiments. At 21% O2, cell proliferation was decreased and process arborization of OPCs was reduced. Expression of MBP, CNP, Olig1, Sox9 and Sox10 was lower at 21% O2, while Nrf2, SOD2, nitrotyrosine were increased. Apoptosis was unchanged. Luciferease reporter assay in OLN93 cells indicated increased Hif-1α activity at 5% O2. In OLN93 cells at 5% O2, Hif-1α knockdown decreased the expression of MBP and CNP, similar to that observed at 21% O2. These data indicate that culturing OPCs at 21% O2 negatively affects development and maturation. Both enhanced oxidative stress and reduced expression of Hif-1α-regulated genes contribute to these hyperoxia-induced changes

Development of Postural Control in Healthy Children: A Functional Approach

From a set of experimental studies showing how intersegmental coordination develops during childhood in various posturokinetic tasks, we have established a repertoire of equilibrium strategies in the course of ontogenesis. The experimental data demonstrate that the first reference frame used for the organization of balance control during locomotion is the pelvis, especially in young children. Head stabilization during posturokinetic activities, particularly locomotion, constitutes a complex motor skill requiring a long time to develop during childhood. When studying the emergence of postural strategies, it is essential to distinguish between results that can be explained by biomechanical reasons strictly and those reflecting the maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). To address this problem, we have studied our young subjects in situations requiring various types of adaptation. The studies dealing with adaptation of postural strategies aimed at testing short and long-term adaptation capacity of the CNS during imposed transient external biomechanical constraints in healthy children, and during chronic internal constraints in children with skeletal pathologies. In addition to maintenance of balance, another function of posture is to ensure the orientation of a body segment. It appears that the control of orientation and the control of balance both require the trunk as an initial reference frame involving a development from egocentric to exocentric postural control. It is concluded that the first step for children consists in building a repertoire of postural strategies, and the second step consists in learning to select the most appropriate postural strategy, depending on the ability to anticipate the consequence of the movement in order to maintain balance control and the efficiency of the task

Anticipatory postural adjustments in a bimanual load-lifting task in children with developmental coordination disorder

International audienceAIM Postural control is a fundamental component of action in which deficits have been shown to contribute to motor difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in children with DCD in a bimanual load-lifting task. METHOD Sixteen children with reported motor problems (two females, 14 males; mean age 9y; SD 2y) and 16 typically developing, age-matched children (six females, 10 males; mean age 9y; SD 2y) took part in the study. The task required the children to maintain a stable elbow angle, despite imposed or voluntary unloading of the forearm. APAs were assessed using electromyography and kinematics analysis. RESULTS Although children with DCD could compensate for the consequences of unloading, the results demonstrated that APAs were less efficient in children with DCD than in typically developing children. A positive and significant coefficient of regression between the flexor inhibition latency and the postural stabilization was only found in typically developing children. INTERPRETATION The impaired fine-tuning of the muscle contribution and the poor stabilization performances demonstrate poor predictive modelling in DCD

Recruitment of Both the Mirror and the Mentalizing Networks When Observing Social Interactions Depicted by Point-Lights: A Neuroimaging Study

Background: Understanding social interactions requires the ability to accurately interpret conspecifics ’ actions, sometimes only on the basis of subtle body language analysis. Here we address an important issue that has not yet received much attention in social neuroscience, that of an interaction between two agents. We attempted to isolate brain responses to two individuals interacting compared to two individuals acting independently. Methodology/Principal Findings: We used minimalistic point-light displays to depict the characters, as they provide the most straightforward way to isolate mechanisms used to extract information from motion per se without any interference with other visual information. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) method was used to determine which brain regions were recruited during the observation of two interacting agents, mimicking everyday social scenes. While the mirror and mentalizing networks are rarely concurrently active, we found that both of them might be needed to catch the social intentions carried by whole-body motion. Conclusions/Significance: These findings shed light on how motor cognition contributes to social cognition when social information is embedded in whole-body motion only. Finally, the approach described here provides a valuable and origina

Immune Reactivity and Pseudoprogression or Tumor Flare in a Serially Biopsied Neuroendocrine Patient Treated with the Epigenetic Agent RRx-001.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are grouped together as a single class on the basis of histologic appearance, immunoreactivity for the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and potential secretion of hormones, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neuropeptides. Nevertheless, despite these common characteristics, NETs differ widely in terms of their natural histories: high-grade NETs are clinically aggressive and, like small cell lung cancer, which they most closely resemble, tend to respond to cisplatin and etoposide. In contrast, low-grade NETs, which as a rule progress and behave indolently, do not. In either case, the treatment strategy, apart from potentially curative surgical resection, is very poorly defined. This report describes the case of a 28-year-old white male with a diagnosis of high-grade NET of undetermined primary site metastatic to the lymph nodes, skin and paraspinal soft tissues, treated with the experimental anticancer agent RRx-001, in the context of a phase II clinical trial called TRIPLE THREAT (NCT02489903); serial sampling of tumor material through repeat biopsies demonstrated an intratumoral inflammatory response, including the amplification of infiltrating T cells, which correlated with clinical and symptomatic benefit. This case suggests that pseudoprogression or RRx-001-induced enlargement of tumor lesions, which has been previously described for several RRx-001-treated patients, is the result of tumoral lymphocyte infiltration

Gemeinsame Kommission Informationskompetenz von VDB und dbv: „Alles IK oder was? Ideen und Beispiele für die Vernetzung von Literacies in Bibliotheken gesucht!“. Best-Practice-Wettbewerb Informationskompetenz 2022

Dieser Beitrag der gemeinsamen Kommission Informationskompetenz von VDB und dbv möchte der Fachcommunity die vier prämierten Einreichungen des Best-Practice-Wettbewerbs Informationskompetenz 2022 vorstellen und damit insbesondere Konzepte bekannt machen, welche über den Kern der IK-Förderung hinausdenken und die Förderung vielfältiger Literacies in den Blick nehmen

Eine stille Revolution

Arbeitsbedingungen Der Fachkräftemangel ist in aller Munde. Praktisch in allen Spitälern sind Betten geschlossen, händeringend wird vielerorts nach Personal gesucht. Dies ist Ausdruck einer neuen Welt, auf die sich Spitäler und Medizin einstellen müssen