The covid-19 learning crisis as a challenge and an opportunity for schools: An evidence review and conceptual synthesis of research-based tools for sustainable change

This paper advances our understanding of how schools can become change agents capable of transforming local practice to address the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. It presents a novel application of cultural-historical activity theory to reinterpret evidence on widespread learning loss and increasing educational inequities resulting from the pandemic, and to identify scalable transformative learning opportunities through reframing the crisis as a double stimulation. By reviewing evidence of the emerging educational landscape, we first develop a picture of the new ‘problem space’ upon which schools must act. We develop a problem space map to serve as the first stimulus to articulate local challenges. Integrating this problem space with research on professional change, we identify conceptual tools to capture learning gaps and implement pedagogic interventions at scale, in order to enhance schools’ agency in directly addressing the crisis. These tools can act as the second stimulus, enabling educators to address local challenges. We conclude by discussing the Covid-19 educational crisis as a unique stimulus for professional learning and outline the potential for durable shifts in educational thinking and practice beyond the pandemic. We argue that this unprecedented historic disruption can be harnessed as a transformative professional learning opportunity. In particular, we consider how research on professional change offers local, scalable interventions and tools that can support educators in preventing the new insights from ‘slipping away’ post-pandemic. Utilising the notions of boundaries and tool-mediated professional change, we examine the ways in which this disruption generates opportunities to envision alternative futures for equitable learning in school.Author 1: The epiSTEMe project [grant number RES-179-25-0003, PI Prof. K. Ruthven] The TEACh project [ES/M005445/1, PI Prof. P. Rose] ESRC Impact Acceleration Grant, University of Cambridge [PI Dr. R. Hofmann] Cambridge University Health Partners Commonwealth Education Trust (PI. Prof. S. Hennessy) Authors 2-8: (2) Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, PhD scholarship (3) Economic and Social Research Council PhD scholarship [ES/P000738/1] (4) Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID), Cambridge Trust, PhD scholarship (5) Economic and Social Research Council [ES/P000738/1] and MRC Epidemiology Unit PhD scholarship (6) Yayasan Khazanah, Cambridge Trust, PhD scholarship (7) Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, UK [TCF180902] PhD scholarship (8) The LEGO Foundatio

The feasibility of wind and solar energy application for oil and gas offshore platform

Renewable energy is an energy which is freely available in nature such as winds and solar energy. It plays a critical role in greening the energy sector as these sources of energy produce little or no pollution to environment. This paper will focus on capability of renewable energy (wind and solar) in generating power for offshore application. Data of wind speeds and solar irradiation that are available around SHELL Sabah Water Platform for every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, for a period of one year are provided by SHELL Sarawak Sdn. Bhd. The suitable wind turbine and photovoltaic panel that are able to give a high output and higher reliability during operation period are selected by using the tabulated data. The highest power output generated using single wind energy application is equal to 492 kW while for solar energy application is equal to 20 kW. Using the calculated data, the feasibility of renewable energy is then determined based on the platform energy demand

Chromosomal organization at the level of gene complexes

Metazoan genomes primarily consist of non-coding DNA in comparison to coding regions. Non-coding fraction of the genome contains cis-regulatory elements, which ensure that the genetic code is read properly at the right time and space during development. Regulatory elements and their target genes define functional landscapes within the genome, and some developmentally important genes evolve by keeping the genes involved in specification of common organs/tissues in clusters and are termed gene complex. The clustering of genes involved in a common function may help in robust spatio-temporal gene expression. Gene complexes are often found to be evolutionarily conserved, and the classic example is the hox complex. The evolutionary constraints seen among gene complexes provide an ideal model system to understand cis and trans-regulation of gene function. This review will discuss the various characteristics of gene regulatory modules found within gene complexes and how they can be characterized

Bone microarchitecture in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for management of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to complex bone disease, affecting both trabecular and cortical bone, and increased fracture risk. Optimal assessment of bone in patients with CKD is yet to be determined. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide three-dimensional assessment of bone microarchitecture, as well as determination of mechanical strength with finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: We conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study to determine bone microarchitecture with MRI in CKD patients with SHPT undergoing parathyroidectomy. Within two weeks of surgery, MRI was performed at the distal tibia and biochemical markers of SHPT (parathyroid hormone [PTH] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) were collected. Trabecular and cortical topological parameters as well as bone mechanical competence using FEA were assessed. Correlation of MRI findings of bone was made with biochemical markers. Results: Twenty patients with CKD (15 male, 5 female) underwent MRI at the time of parathyroidectomy (16 on dialysis, 3 with functioning kidney transplant, one pre-dialysis with CKD stage 5). Median PTH at the time of surgery was 138.5 pmol/L [39.6-186.7 pmol/L]. MRI parameters in patients were consistent with trabecular deterioration, with erosion index (EI) 1.01 ± 0.3, and trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) 10.8 ± 2.9%, as well as poor trabecular network integrity with surface-to-curve ratio (S/C) 5.4 ± 2.3. There was also evidence of reduced cortical thickness, with CTh 2.698 ± 0.630 mm, and FEA demonstrated overall poor bone mechanical strength with mean elastic modulus of 2.07 ± 0.44. Conclusion: Patients with severe SHPT requiring parathyroidectomy have evidence of significant changes in bone microarchitecture with trabecular deterioration, low trabecular and cortical bone volume, and reduced mechanical competence of bone