Individualised learning approach (the three ‘p’s) for a small to medium enterprise through work based learning

An ongoing challenge for education and training providers is to ensure learners can achieve maximum learning and recognition for their vocational education pathways. The strategy and case to be presented could best be described as the 3 ‘p’s approach to the provision of vocational education and training, that is: I. How we support people in their education and training II. What processes we use to provide education and training? III. The place where the learning opportunities are provided. The aim of this paper is to share an educational and training strategy that has been successfully implemented in an Australian enterprise. The strategy provided education and training for the members of the enterprise in a multidisciplinary manner from a certificate through to a degree outcome, entirely through work-based learning (WBL) pedagogy. The research was conducted with six candidates (employees of the enterprise) through their educational journey applying a range of WBL activities including projects and initiatives to improve processes and performances in the workplace. Each candidate's program involved designing the learning component following an initial phase of review of their previous learning’s and qualifications with a learning advisor. This process was deemed as 'the learning review'. The other component of this phase was to develop a learning plan to encapsulate an area of study or disciplinary process that would be relevant to the individual candidate. This process was deemed as 'the learning journey plan'. The second phase was for each candidate to prepare and undertake a problem based/research led learning activity through one or more workplace project/s with the support of the employer. The final phase involved a structured review and development of a final project report to outline the outcomes and learning’s achieved through the work based projects. The research undertaken included post-program interviews with the six candidates and the General Manager and provided an example of a relatable model for all workplaces as well as education and training provider

Work-based learning: a learning strategy in support of the Australian Qualifications Framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which work-based learning could potentially improve education and training pathways in Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews education and training provision in Australia through a contextualisation of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) with work-based learning pedagogy to determine the extent to which it might contribute to improved outcomes for learners. Findings – People seeking to advance their career aspirations can consider the application of work-based learning to support lifelong learning pathways through the AQF. Research limitations/implications – There is a need for further longitudinal studies on the outcomes of work-based learning for organisations, individual learners and education and training institutions. Practical implications – The application of effective WBL approaches has the potential to create a much larger flow of learners from experiential and vocational backgrounds into undergraduate programmes and onto higher education programmes using a consistent and effective pedagogy. Social implications – By actively considering the opportunities for learning at work and through work learners, educators and business managers may recognise that there would be more demand for work-based learning. Originality/value – This paper represents an initial action research study which examines the role WBL can provide for life-long learning

Evaluation of caffeine and taurine administration in improving neurodegenerative dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans overexpressing the APP ortholog: APL-1

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterized by an over-accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary Tau tangles present within the brain, contributing to associative neurodegeneration. Taurine is an essential amino acid found within the nervous system; however, it is one of a few amino acids not required in routine protein synthesis. Caffeine and taurine have both been identified as active ingredients in energy drinks with the benefit of improving nervous system function, supporting neural recovery, and synaptogenesis. In previous studies, taurine has been shown to increase memory retention in animal models, and consumption of caffeine reflects improvement in locomotion, memory, and lifespan. OBJECTIVES: This project aims to determine the impact of caffeine and taurine on a mutant C. elegans strain, ynIs-79, which over-expresses the amyloid precursor protein ortholog, APL-1 within its nervous system. We expect that supplementing the mutant ynIs-79 nematode’s diet with caffeine and/or taurine will positively influence the observed neurodegenerative dysfunction by reducing the number of taps required to induce habituation. We hypothesize that treating the nematodes with caffeine and/or taurine will result in a statistically significant decrease in the number of taps required to induce a habitual response and for the mutant nematodes to associate it as a non-harmful stimulus. This would suggest an improvement in memory and neurodegenerative dysfunction. METHODS: This was an observational study assessing the effects of caffeine and taurine administration and improvements in neurodegenerative dysfunction in a dose-dependent manner. The primary endpoint was the number of taps required to induce habituation and theoretically improve learning and movement in C. elegans. For comparison, we assessed anterior and posterior habituation following exposure to caffeine or taurine by tapping the worms with a sterile eyelash until the nematodes recognized the taps as a non-threatening stimulus. Control and mutant C. elegans were treated with 250μL of caffeine or taurine separately, at the following drug concentrations: 0μg/mL(control), 1μg/mL, 10μg/mL, 250μg/mL, and 500μg/mL. RESULTS: Thirty nematodes were tapped on the anterior and posterior ends after application of caffeine and/or taurine at varying concentrations. Current preliminary results indicate a significant decrease in the number of taps required for habituation in the mutant ynIs-79 C. elegans strain, comparatively. Statistical analysis included a one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s multiple comparison test for repeated measures using Prism. CONCLUSION: The administration of caffeine towards mutant ynIs-79 C. elegans leads to improvements in observed neurodegenerative dysfunction at higher concentrations of caffeine by reducing the threshold required to induce habituation. However, administration of taurine does not reflect a dose-dependent reduction in the number of taps required to elicit habituation. Rather, administration of taurine at minimal concentrations is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. Repeated studies are needed to provide for targeted assessment of anterior and posterior response to tap habituation separately. Testing the same worm for both anterior and posterior response may provide for overstimulation of the nematode and reflect increased variability in the data

Satellite protection and drag reduction using a purging gas flow

We have used the DSMC method to determine contamination (impingement of atmospheric molecules) and the aerodynamic forces on a cold satellite when a protective “purge gas” is ejected from a sting protruding ahead of the satellite. Forward ejection of the purge gas provides the greatest protection for a given mass of purge gas and the aerodynamic drag can be significantly reduced, thus compensating for the backward reaction from the forward ejection. If the purge gas is ejected backward from the sting (towards the satellite) the ejection provides thrust and the net retarding force can be reduced to zero. Contamination can be reduced and the mass of purging gas is less than the mass of conventional rocket propellant required to maintain the orbit of an unprotected satellite

Mannitol in diuretic resistant nephrotic syndrome: a case report

A 6 year old presented with generalized oedema to Kagando hospital, Uganda, and was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. Despite treatment with a fluid restriction, prednisolone and furosemide, the oedema worsened and the weight increased. Mannitol was added to the treatment regime and the oedema improved. The patient was able to be discharged four days later without any diuretic therapy. The case highlights the use of mannitol in the treatment of diuretic resistant oedema with nephrotic syndrome. It provides an alternative therapy for the resource-poor setting to the expensive albumin-furosemide combination often used elsewhere

Concept definition study for recovery of tumbling satellites. Volume 1: Executive summary, study results

The first assessment is made of the design requirements and conceptual definition of a front end kit to be transported on the currently defined Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) and the Space Transportation System Shuttle Orbiter, to conduct remote, teleoperated recovery of disabled and noncontrollable, tumbling satellites. Previous studies did not quantify the dynamic characteristics of a tumbling satellite, nor did they appear to address the full spectrum of Tumbling Satellite Recovery systems requirements. Both of these aspects are investigated with useful results

Concept definition study for recovery of tumbling satellites. Volume 2: Supporting research and technology report

A number of areas of research and laboratory experiments were identified which could lead to development of a cost efficient remote, disable satellite recovery system. Estimates were planned of disabled satellite motion. A concept is defined as a Tumbling Satellite Recovery kit which includes a modular system, composed of a number of subsystem mechanisms that can be readily integrated into varying combinations. This would enable the user to quickly configure a tailored remote, disabled satellite recovery kit to meet a broad spectrum of potential scenarios. The capability was determined of U.S. Earth based satellite tracking facilities to adequately determine the orientation and motion rates of disabled satellites