Different applications of concept maps in Higher Education

Purpose: The aim of this work is to show different applications of concept maps in higher education, concretely in qualifications of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Design/methodology/approach: Different methodologies have been used depending on the application of concept maps: as evaluation tool, as knowledge organizing tool, and as meaningful learning tool. Findings: Students consider the concept maps useful principally to select key ideas, to achieve a comprehensive view of the lesson, and to bring up the subject. Moreover, concept maps promote the meaningful and active learning, help students to understand, follow-up, and learn subjects with a high load of contents. Research limitations/implications: The most important limitation is the use of the concept maps in subjects with a high number of students. Practical implications: The realization of concept maps allows the student to develop generic competences. Originality/value: The originality of this work is to show how a same tool can be used in different subjects of different qualifications. © Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 2011.Bes Piá, A.; Blasco-Tamarit, E.; Muñoz Portero, MJ. (2011). Different applications of concept maps in Higher Education. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management. 4(1):81-102. doi:10.3926/jiem.2011.v4n1.p81-102Senia811024

The neural and hormonal control of splanchnic blood flow in normal and abnormal man.

In this thesis the merit off a non-invasive Doppler ultrasound method of measuring superior mesenteric artery (a major constituent of the splanchnic vascular bed) blood flow in man is evaluated. The reproducibility off this method is assessed and then applied to determine the neural and humoral control off the splanchnic vascular bed in normal subjects, patients with sympathetic denervation (primary autonomic failure) and essential hypertension. Sympatho-neural activation by pressor tests and head-up tilt caused marked splanchnic vasoconstriction associated with a rise (pressor tests) or maintenance (tilt) of blood pressure in normal subjects but not in patients with sympathetic denervation in whom severe postural hypotension occurred. Sympatho-inhibition by clonidine, a centrally acting ?2 adrenoreceptor agonist lowered blood pressure, caused a fall in cardiac ouput and actively dilated the mesenteric artery in normal subjects and in patients with central sympathetic denervation. In patients with peripheral sympathetic failure clonidine did not lower blood pressure or dilate the superior mesenteric artery. Alcohol ingestion lowered supine blood pressure and dilated mesenteric vessels in sympathetic denervation but not in normals. These responses could be prevented by Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue which inhibits release of gut peptides. In hypertensives the resting mesenteric vascular resistance was higher than in controls and sympatho-inhibition by clonidine reversed these changes and lowered blood pressure. In normal subjects, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition by captopril caused active mesenteric vasodilatation but failed to lower blood pressure. Mesenteric vasoconstriction occurred during tilt indicating that captopril induced mesenteric vasodilatation was independent of sympathetic activity. These results suggest that the sympatho-neural and hormonal (renin-angiotensin and gut peptides) control of the mesenteric vascular bed is important for maintenance of blood pressure. Thus abnormal splanchnic vascular responses contributes to severe postural and post-alcohol hypotension in sympathetic denervation. Similarly a higher sympathetic activity and splanchnic vascular resistance may play a part in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension

Mean total score trajectories (POS-PP, POS, PDQ-8 and HADS) by patterns of follow-up scores.

<p>Mean total score trajectories (POS-PP, POS, PDQ-8 and HADS) by patterns of follow-up scores.</p

Prevalence (%) of symptoms in patients with different conditions at baseline interview.

<p>Prevalence (%) of symptoms in patients with different conditions at baseline interview.</p

Individual trajectories of total scores of Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS).

<p>Note: Increased score equals more palliative problems/needs, only patients with 4 assessments plotted.</p

Characteristics of the 82 patients, total and by diagnosis: IPD, MSA, PSP.

*<p>chi-squared comparison between groups = 11.5 df = 4, p = 0.021.</p><p>Hoehn & Yahr stage meaning is.</p><p>3 Mild to moderate bilateral disease; some postural instability; physically independent.</p><p>4 Severe disability; still able to walk or stand unassisted.</p><p>5 Wheelchair-bound or bedridden unless aided.</p

The Parkinson's specific and generic quality of life, symptom and palliative care measures administered at all time points.

<p>The Parkinson's specific and generic quality of life, symptom and palliative care measures administered at all time points.</p

Relationship between baseline total Core-POS score and final POS-PP total score, Pain score.

<p>Relationship between baseline total Core-POS score and final POS-PP total score, Pain score.</p

Frequency dependent increase in contractile response of isolated detrusor strips in response to trains of 20 pulses at frequencies ranging from 0.25 to 40 Hz in the absence or in the presence of 1 μM atropine in normal and equivalent tissues from MPTP animals respectively.

<p>In detrusor strips from drug naïve animals, atropine significantly inhibited peak contractile responses at frequencies above 20 Hz (a). In strips from MPTP-treated animals (b), atropine did not significantly decrease peak contractions. Time course of EFS-evoked contractile responses of detrusor strips from normal detrusor strips at 4 Hz (c) and 40 Hz (d) shows a biphasic contractile profile. In this tissue both phases of contraction were reduced by atropine while in MPTP tissues, atropine inhibited the second phase to a greater extent at the 4 Hz (e) and 40 Hz (f). Each data point represents mean ± sem (n = 5) * P<0.05.</p

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra (SN) of normal (a) and MPTP-treated common marmosets.

<p>TH-immunoreactive neurones in normal, drug naive (a) and MPTP-treated (b) substantia nigra were significantly reduced at the level of 3^rd cranial nerve following MPTP treatment. Each data point represents mean ± sem (n = 7) ***P<0.001(c). The scale bar represents 200 μm.</p