A matrix for appropriate assessment for Work Integrated Learning in STEM disciplines

With increasing interest shown by Universities in workplace learning, especially in STEM disciplines, an issue has arisen amongst educators and industry partners regarding authentic assessment tasks for work integrated learning (WIL) subjects. This paper describes the use of a matrix, which is also available as a decision-tree, based on the features of the WIL experience, in order to facilitate the selection of appropriate assessment strategies. The matrix divides the WIL experiences into seven categories, based on such factors as: the extent to which the experience is compulsory, required for membership of a professional body or elective; whether the student is undertaking a project, or embedding in a professional culture; and other key aspects of the WIL experience. One important variable is linked to the fundamental purpose of the assessment. This question revolves around the focus of the assessment: whether on the person (student development); the process (professional conduct/language); or the product (project, assignment, literature review, report, software). The matrix has been trialed at QUT in the Faculty of Science and Technology, and also at the University of Surrey, UK, and has proven to have good applicability in both universities

SNP diversity of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in a South East Queensland waterway, Australia, and associated antibiotic resistance gene profiles

BACKGROUND: Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are associated with faecal pollution of water, linked to swimmer-associated gastroenteritis and demonstrate a wide range of antibiotic resistance. The Coomera River is a main water source for the Pimpama-Coomera watershed and is located in South East Queensland, Australia, which is used intensively for agriculture and recreational purposes. This study investigated the diversity of E. faecalis and E. faecium using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and associated antibiotic resistance profiles. RESULTS: Total enterococcal counts (cfu/ml) for three/six sampling sites were above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended level during rainfall periods and fall into categories B and C of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines (with a 1-10% gastrointestinal illness risk). E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates were grouped into 29 and 23 SNP profiles (validated by MLST analysis) respectively. This study showed the high diversity of E. faecalis and E. faecium over a period of two years and both human-related and human-specific SNP profiles were identified. 81.8% of E. faecalis and 70.21% of E. faecium SNP profiles were associated with genotypic and phenotypic antibiotic resistance. Gentamicin resistance was higher in E. faecalis (47% resistant) and harboured the aac(6')-aph(2') gene. Ciprofloxacin resistance was more common in E. faecium (12.7% resistant) and gyrA gene mutations were detected in these isolates. Tetracycline resistance was less common in both species while tet(L) and tet(M) genes were more prevalent. Ampicillin resistance was only found in E. faecium isolates with mutations in the pbp5 gene. Vancomycin resistance was not detected in any of the isolates. We found that antibiotic resistance profiles further sub-divided the SNP profiles of both E. faecalis and E. faecium. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of E. faecalis and E. faecium genotypes is highly diverse in the Coomera River. The SNP genotyping method is rapid and robust and can be applied to study the diversity of E. faecalis and E. faecium in waterways. It can also be used to test for human-related and human-specific enterococci in water. The resolving power can be increased by including antibiotic-resistant profiles which can be used as a possible source tracking tool. This warrants further investigation

Influence of the performance of Black Economic Empowerment shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Top 40.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The study investigated the performance of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). It employed data from 48 firms active on the JSE from 2003 to 2016. Unbalanced panel data was used as there were firms with no data for this period and they were omitted from the study when they were no longer part of the JSE Top 40. The fixed effects model results showed that BEE shares’ influence on share returns is insignificant, but that they do have an impact on firm value. It was found that when a BEE share is issued, the firm’s value increases by 0.522 when return on equity (ROE) is used and 0.45 when return on assets (ROA) is employed. A bootstrap technique was run on the fixed effects model in order to account for cross-sectional dependency. The bootstrap did not affect the outcome of the effect of BEE shares on share returns. However, the influence of BEE shares on the firm’s value became significant. These results are consistent with the existing literature which states that firms issue BEE shares in order to reap other benefits. Although BEE shares have no influence on share returns and firm value, it is recommended that firms continue to issue such shares in order to receive a higher BEE rating

Performance Assessment of UVAPS: Influence of Fungal Spore Age and Air Exposure

This work focused on two main outcomes. The first was the assessment of the response of the Ultraviolet Aerodynamic Particle Sizer Spectrometer (UVAPS) for two different fungal spore species. The UVAPS response was investigated as a function of fungal age and the frequency of air current that their colonies exposure to. This outcome was achieved through the measurement of fungal spore fluorescent percentage and fluorescent intensity throughout a period of culturing time (three weeks), and the study of their fluorescent percentage as a function of exposure to air currents. The second objective was to investigate the change of fungal spore size during this period, which may be of use as a co-factor in this differentiation. Fungal spores were released by blowing the surface of the culture colonies with continuous filtered flow air. The UVAPS was used to detect and measure auto-fluorescing biomolecules such as riboflavin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) present in the released fungal spores. The study demonstrated an increase in aerodynamic diameter for fungal spores under investigation (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium species) over a period of time. The fluorescent percentage of spores was found to decrease for both fungal genera as they aged. It was also found that the fluorescent percentage for tested fungi decreased with frequency of air exposure. The results showed that, while the UVAPS could discriminate between Aspergillus and Penicillium species under well-controlled laboratory conditions, it is unlikely to be able to do so in the field

The positions of primary and secondary schools in the English school field: a case of durable inequality

In interviews as part of a research study of structural reform in England, some tension between primary head teachers and their secondary peers was evident. This was symptomatic of a long-standing difference in status between the two phases. At a time when relations between stakeholders in local systems are subject to change, we seek to understand anew why that might be the case and how the tension we found was evidence of a current difference of power within interactions between representatives of the phases. We analyse differences of size, resources, workforce, pedagogy and history, and how they have resulted in different, and differently valued, practices and professional identities. We explore how attributes of the two phases have been counterposed and how, in complex interaction with wider discourses of politics, gender and age, this process has invested the differences with meanings and values that tend to relegate attributes associated with primary school. By focusing on the activation of cumulative inequality in interactions, we contribute a complementary perspective to studies of perceived relative status and highlight the implications for understanding school positioning in local arenas as the role of local authorities is reduced

High resolution crystal structure of a KRAS promoter G-quadruplex reveals a dimer with extensive poly-A pi-stacking interactions for small-molecule recognition

Aberrant KRAS signaling is a driver of many cancers and yet remains an elusive target for drug therapy. The nuclease hypersensitive element of the KRAS promoter has been reported to form secondary DNA structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which may play important roles in regulating KRAS expression, and has spurred interest in structural elucidation studies of the KRAS G-quadruplexes. Here, we report the first high-resolution crystal structure (1.6 A) of a KRAS G-quadruplex as a 5'-head-to-head dimer with extensive poly-A π-stacking interactions observed across the dimer. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the poly-A π-stacking interactions are also maintained in the G4 monomers. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations with two G4 ligands that display high stabilization of the KRAS G4 indicated the poly-A loop was a binding site for these ligands in addition to the 5'-G-tetrad. Given sequence and structural variability in the loop regions provide the opportunity for small-molecule targeting of specific G4s, we envisage this high-resolution crystal structure for the KRAS G-quadruplex will aid in the rational design of ligands to selectively target KRAS.National Health and Medical Research Council; Australian Research Council; National Breast Cancer Foundation; A.O. would like to thank the Australian Government and UWA for scholarships and financial support. Funding for open access charge: University of Western Australia

Mycobacterium lentiflavum in Drinking Water Supplies, Australia

Humans may acquire infection from potable water

Assessment of Environmental and Public Health Risk of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems

On-site wastewater treatment systems are common throughout Australia, with most systems located in the urban fringe and rural regions. The number of on-site treatment systems is increasing rapidly as these areas undergo more intensive development. Consequently, there is a significant increase in environmental and public health risks associated with these systems. This has lead to the recognition of the need for the articulation of treatment standards and criteria which are flexible and robust to satisfy specific public health and environmental requirements. Currently, these concepts are not being widely applied in on-site treatment of wastewater. A research project was undertaken to identify and assess the environmental and public health risks associated with on-site wastewater treatment systems in an area within the Gold Coast region, Southeast Queensland, Australia. A detailed surface and groundwater investigation including nutrient and microbiological analysis and modeling studies were undertaken to identify and assess the risk of contamination from nutrients and pathogenic organisms discharged from on-site systems. This also included the assessment of the potential risks in relation to high densities of on-site systems. High levels of nutrients, in particular nitrate, has been found in an unconfined shallow aquifer within the study area, directly below high densities of systems. Similarly, high fecal coliforms have also been observed in various locations throughout the area. Therefore, it crucial that the impact of high densities of on-site systems on shallow groundwater is appropriately assessed in order to minimise the potential risks to the environment