Achieving Competence-Based Curriculum In Engineering Education In Spain

5 tables, 5 figures, 26 pagesThe fact of placing competences and outcomes learning at the heart of the academic activity means overhauling the curricular architecture of higher education in Europe. Some universities have undergone important transformations moving toward a competence-based learning environment, while others maintain traditional curriculum packaged formats. In the realm of the European Higher Education Area, this paper examines the use of competence-based initiatives in curricular development for engineering degrees with special focus to the Spanish case. Although the concept of competence and competence-based learning have a long history in education and training research, these terms are still very diffuse and demand a clear conceptualization. In the first part of this paper, we provide a conceptual overview and a critical reflection of competences as implemented in a wide range of settings, including its origins, key concepts and definitions. Next, we discuss the purposes, principles, pitfalls, and processes that enable to define a map of competences within Engineering Education. Finally, we present a pilot project involving curriculum development and faculty enhancement within a competence-based learning initiative in Electronic Engineering

Intra-individual diagnostic image quality and organ-specific-radiation dose comparison between spiral cCT with iterative image reconstruction and z-axis automated tube current modulation and sequential cCT

AbstractObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate image quality and organ-specific-radiation dose of spiral cranial CT (cCT) combined with automated tube current modulation (ATCM) and iterative image reconstruction (IR) in comparison to sequential tilted cCT reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) without ATCM.Methods31 patients with a previous performed tilted non-contrast enhanced sequential cCT aquisition on a 4-slice CT system with only FBP reconstruction and no ATCM were prospectively enrolled in this study for a clinical indicated cCT scan. All spiral cCT examinations were performed on a 3rd generation dual-source CT system using ATCM in z-axis direction. Images were reconstructed using both, FBP and IR (level 1–5). A Monte-Carlo-simulation-based analysis was used to compare organ-specific-radiation dose. Subjective image quality for various anatomic structures was evaluated using a 4-point Likert-scale and objective image quality was evaluated by comparing signal-to-noise ratios (SNR).ResultsSpiral cCT led to a significantly lower (p<0.05) organ-specific-radiation dose in all targets including eye lense. Subjective image quality of spiral cCT datasets with an IR reconstruction level 5 was rated significantly higher compared to the sequential cCT acquisitions (p<0.0001). Consecutive mean SNR was significantly higher in all spiral datasets (FBP, IR 1–5) when compared to sequential cCT with a mean SNR improvement of 44.77% (p<0.0001).ConclusionsSpiral cCT combined with ATCM and IR allows for significant-radiation dose reduction including a reduce eye lens organ-dose when compared to a tilted sequential cCT while improving subjective and objective image quality

- LAA Occluder View for post-implantation Evaluation (LOVE) - standardized imaging proposal evaluating implanted left atrial appendage occlusion devices by cardiac computed tomography

Background: A standardized imaging proposal evaluating implanted left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices by cardiac computed tomography angiography (cCTA) has never been investigated. Methods: cCTA datasets were acquired on a 3rd generation dual-source CT system and reconstructed with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm. An interdisciplinary evaluation was performed by two interventional cardiologists and one radiologist on a 3D multi-planar workstation. A standardized multi-planar reconstruction algorithm was developed in order to assess relevant clinical aspects of implanted LAA occlusion devices being outlined within a pictorial essay. Results: The following clinical aspects of implanted LAA occlusion devices were evaluated within the most appropriate cCTA multi-planar reconstruction: (1) topography to neighboring structures, (2) peri-device leaks, (3) coverage of LAA lobes, (4) indirect signs of neo-endothelialization. These are illustrated within concise CT imaging examples emphasizing the potential value of the proposed cCTA imaging algorithm: Starting from anatomical cCTA planes and stepwise angulation planes perpendicular to the base of the LAA devices generates an optimal LAA Occluder View for post-implantation Evaluation (LOVE). Aligned true axial, sagittal and coronal LOVE planes offer a standardized and detailed evaluation of LAA occlusion devices after percutaneous implantation. Conclusions: This pictorial essay presents a standardized imaging proposal by cCTA using multi-planar reconstructions that enables systematical follow-up and comparison of patients after LAA occlusion device implantation

Comparative analysis of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and T for their association with coronary computed tomography-assessed calcium scoring represented by the Agatston score

Background: This study evaluates the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) and coronary calcium concentration (CAC) detected by coronary computed tomography (CCT) and evaluated with the Agatston score in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Patients undergoing CCT during routine clinical care were enrolled prospectively. CCT was indicated for patients with a low to intermediate pretest probability for CAD. Within 24 h of CCT examination, peripheral blood samples were taken to measure cardiac biomarkers hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT. Results: A total of 76 patients were enrolled including 38% without detectable CAC, 36% with an Agatston score from 1 to 100, 17% from 101 to 400, and 9% with values ≥ 400. hs-cTnI was increasing alongside Agatston score and was able to differentiate between different groups of Agatston scores. Both hs-cTn discriminated values greater than 100 (hs-cTnI, AUC = 0.663; p = 0.032; hs-cTnT, AUC = 0.650; p = 0.048). In univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI were significantly associated with increased Agatston scores. Patients with hs-cTnT ≥ 0.02 µg/l and hs-cTnI ≥ 5.5 ng/l were more likely to reveal values ≥ 400 (hs-cTnT; OR = 13.4; 95% CI 1.545–116.233; p = 0.019; hs-cTnI; OR = 8.8; 95% CI 1.183–65.475; p = 0.034). Conclusion: The present study shows that the Agatston score was significantly correlated with hs cardiac troponins, both in univariable and multivariable linear regression models. Hs-cTnI is able to discriminate between different Agatston values. The present results might reveal potential cut-off values for hs cardiac troponins regarding different Agatston values. Trial registration Cardiovascular Imaging and Biomarker Analyses (CIBER), NCT03074253 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT0307425

Direkte Aminierung, Cycloaddition und Cyclopropanierung : ein breites Spektrum an Transformationen zugänglich durch Calcium-Katalyse

Topic of this work was the development of calcium catalyzed reactions. Despite its unexplored catalytic potential, calcium is an inexpensive and nontoxic metal and thus it is highly desirable to use it as a catalyst. In the first part the direct amination of pi-activated alcohols with nitrogen nucleophiles was developed. A catalytic amount of Ca(NTf2)2 und Bu4NPF6 as an additive allowed for an efficient conversion of secondary and tertiary benzylic and allylic as well as tertiary propargylic alcohols with carbamates, sulfonamides, anilines and carboxamides under very mild reaction conditions. Based on this project an asymmetric version of this reaction catalyzed by chiral calcium salts based on BINOL derivatives was developed. 2-substituted indolines could be obtained with enantiomeric excesses up to 15% by intramolecular cyclization. Another aspect of this work focused on the [3+2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor substituted cyclopropanes with aldehydes. A new type of 2,2-disubstituted cyclopropanes, bearing an alkyne moiety as the sole donor entity were transformed to highly substituted tetrahydrofurans in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ca(NTf2)2 and Bu4NPF6. By taking advantage of the marginal steric extension of this new donor, the tetrahydrofurans could be obtained with excellent trans-diastereoselectivities for the first time. In addition to that, mechanistic investigations were performed regarding the calcium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynols that was developed in this reearch group. It could be shown that the high distereoselectivity depends on the configuration of the double bond of the precursor and with the help of DFT-calculations the concerted asynchronous nature of this carbocation cascade could be confirmed

The Alkynyl Moiety as a Donor for Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes

The first <i>trans</i>-selective [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of a new type of donor–acceptor cyclopropane with aldehydes is presented. 2,2-Disubstituted cyclopropanes, bearing an alkyne moiety as the sole donor entity, were transformed to highly substituted tetrahydrofurans in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ca(NTf₂)₂/Bu₄NPF₆. The protocol allows for an easy access to tetrahydrofurans bearing a versatile alkyne substituent at the quarternary 2-position under very mild reaction conditions

Predicting pulmonary function testing from quantified computed tomography using machine learning algorithms in patients with COPD

Introduction: Quantitative computed tomography (qCT) is an emergent technique for diagnostics and research in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). qCT parameters demonstrate a correlation with pulmonary function tests and symptoms. However, qCT only provides anatomical, not functional, information. We evaluated five distinct, partial-machine learning-based mathematical models to predict lung function parameters from qCT values in comparison with pulmonary function tests. Methods: 75 patients with diagnosed COPD underwent body plethysmography and a dose-optimized qCT examination on a third-generation, dual-source CT with inspiration and expiration. Delta values (inspiration—expiration) were calculated afterwards. Four parameters were quantified: mean lung density, lung volume low-attenuated volume, and full width at half maximum. Five models were evaluated for best prediction: average prediction, median prediction, k-nearest neighbours (kNN), gradient boosting, and multilayer perceptron. Results: The lowest mean relative error (MRE) was calculated for the kNN model with 16%. Similar low MREs were found for polynomial regression as well as gradient boosting-based prediction. Other models led to higher MREs and thereby worse predictive performance. Beyond the sole MRE, distinct differences in prediction performance, dependent on the initial dataset (expiration, inspiration, delta), were found. Conclusion: Different, partially machine learning-based models allow the prediction of lung function values from static qCT parameters within a reasonable margin of error. Therefore, qCT parameters may contain more information than we currently utilize and can potentially augment standard functional lung testing