Multi-stakeholder work integrated learning model for higher education - a transdisciplinary approach

Work integrated learning (WIL) is essential to successful higher education curricula and qualifications. Traditional WIL models are discipline specific with collaboration between educator and business aimed at providing the student with workplace experience. There is a need for a transdisciplinary approach to WIL as well as a need to consider multiple stakeholder responsibility in WIL models. This conceptual paper provides a critical review of two discipline specific WIL models in order to reshape them into a third transdisciplinary multi-stakeholder WIL model highlighting the roles of student, education, business and government. Two working WIL models currently in use in two different disciplines, namely the Human Resources and Marketing Departments, were reviewed for similarities and gaps. The review resulted in the proposed Multi-Stakeholder WIL Model. The message of this paper is that for WIL models to be effective and economically viable, government and the students must become key stakeholders

Work integrated learning benefits for student career prospects – mixed mode analysis

Abstract: Work integrated learning (WIL) aims to strategically inspire students to embrace prospective future careers, thereby contributing to economic innovation and growth. Higher Education is mandated to integrate WIL into curricula and qualifications in order to promote student career development. This is an invaluable opportunity for academics to not only integrate theory and practice, but to expose graduates-to-be to the world of work and assess their experiential learning. Most academics seem to shy away from WIL implementation due to perceived increase in workload, denying themselves and their students the benefits of WIL, especially for student career prospects. This empirical article reports on a transdisciplinary exploration into the benefits of two discipline-specific WIL projects using a mixed model analysis approach. A comparative, triangulated study of the Marketing qualitative and Human Resource quantitative data reveals that the students enjoy their WIL experience, gain additional knowledge and skills, and are exposed to various career opportunities

Tenascin-C fragments are endogenous inducers of cartilage matrix degradation

Cartilage destruction is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) and is characterized by increased protease activity resulting in the degradation of critical extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins essential for maintaining cartilage integrity. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an ECM glycoprotein, and its expression is upregulated in OA cartilage. We aimed to investigate the presence of TN-C fragments in arthritic cartilage and establish whether they promote cartilage degradation. Expression of TN-C and its fragments was evaluated in cartilage from subjects undergoing joint replacement surgery for OA and RA compared with normal subjects by western blotting. The localization of TN-C in arthritic cartilage was also established by immunohistochemistry. Recombinant TN-C fragments were then tested to evaluate which regions of TN-C are responsible for cartilage-degrading activity in an ex vivo cartilage explant assay measuring glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release, aggrecanase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. We found that specific TN-C fragments are highly upregulated in arthritic cartilage. Recombinant TN-C fragments containing the same regions as those identified from OA cartilage mediate cartilage degradation by the induction of aggrecanase activity. TN-C fragments mapping to the EGF-L and FN type III domains 3-8 of TN-C had the highest levels of aggrecan-degrading ability that was not observed either with full-length TN-C or with other domains of TN-C. TN-C fragments represent a novel mechanism for cartilage degradation in arthritis and may present new therapeutic targets for the inhibition of cartilage degradation

Managing work integrated learning strengths, opportunities and risks in the emerging South African environment

Abstract: It is critical for the current rapidly changing education, government and business environments that training providers provide practical application to enhance theoretical learning in education, training and development programs. There is a need for effective and efficient work integrated learning (WIL) project leaders who aim to develop future-fit graduate or employee skills and competencies. Empirical research was conducted to identify, confirm and present the strengths, opportunities and risks (weaknesses and threats) in WIL projects in the emerging South African context. The qualitative research method entailed a classical two round Delphi technique and inductive content analysis. The key findings reveal that WIL project strengths include gaining a competitive advantage, forging industry partnerships and creating employment opportunities. Key weaknesses include the lack of a WIL project strategy, having limited skills and a lack of marketing competencies. Key opportunities include enhancing a diverse range of skills, creating new markets and further study with WIL. A key threat is the changing landscape. The theoretical contribution of this study is that it adds to the body of knowledge on WIL projects in South Africa, Africa and other developing economies. The research contribution is the use of the Delphi technique to gain validated consensus on WIL project management criteria. The practical contribution lies in the WIL SWOT matrix that can be utilized by WIL project leaders, managers and administrators to effectively and efficiently evaluate their WIL and other education, training and development projects

Identifying the Comparative Advantage of Products and Industries of South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province

Knowledge of a region’s comparative advantage may dictate its industrial development agenda and realistic export opportunities. Through the effective targeting of specific sectors and industries within the South African provinces, provincial government entities can determine which sector or industry could gain the most from effective targeting for industrial development, development planning and export promotion. This study determined the comparative advantage of South Africa’s Mpumalanga province by estimating the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (RCA). The study revealed that the products with the highest comparative advantage (RCA) and realistic export opportunities (REO) are manganese products, salted meat (beef), frozen fish, chewing gum, tomatoes, soups and broths. In addition, the results of the RCA analysis were matched to the export opportunities identified by the decision support model (TRADE-DSM) to determine which of the comparative advantage products have realistic export opportunities. Eight of the top 15 comparative advantage products were found to have realistic export opportunities according to the TRADE-DSM.Keywords: Competitiveness, Decision Support Model (DSM), Export, Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Mpumalanga Province, Trade, South Afric

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MATERIAL DECOMPOSITION USING RAPID KVP-SWITCHING DUAL-ENERGY CT FOR ASSESSING BONE MINERAL DENSITY

Osteoporosis is diagnosed by assessing the bone mineral density (BMD) of the trabecular bone, and has previously been characterized with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or single-energy computed tomography (SECT). Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is able to create two three-dimensional sets of images representing the densities of two materials in a given basis pair. DECT is theoretically capable of providing a true density measurement of trabecular bone material with the proper material basis pair. Using the rapid kVp-switching GE HD750 scanner, the concentrations of various solutes were assessed in two-material syringe-phantoms in different experimental conditions with DECT material density images, SECT and DXA. RMS error was used to evaluate the accuracy of the DECT concentration measurements in air and regression was used to compare measurements made in other scanning conditions. The effect of anthropomorphic geometry was explored in concentric phantoms designed to model bone. The sensitivity of DECT, SECT, and DXA to change in bone composition was compared. Thecorrelation between different basis pair decompositions was evaluated. Finally, the correlation between DECT concentration measurements and DXA areal BMD (aBMD) measurements was assessed and used to develop a methodology to convert DECT concentration measurements to aBMD measurements. The RMS error of DECT concentration measurements made in air ranged from 9-244%. Measurements of concentration made off-isocenter or with different DECT techniques were found to have a small (~5%) effect, but scattering conditions resulted in a reduction of 8-27% with similar trends observed in SECT data. In concentric phantoms, higher-attenuating material in the outer chamber increased measured values of the inner material for all measurement methods. DECT measurements had the best sensitivity (2 mg/ml K2HPO4). Different DECT basis pairs were nearly perfectly correlated (R21). This was exploited to demonstrate a strong correlation (R2 = 0.988) between measured K2HPO4 concentration and DXA aBMD for different two-material phantoms. The relationship DECT aBMD and DXA aBMD was highly correlated (R2 =0.983) but the limits of agreement (-0.16 to 0.57 g/cm2) were relatively large compared to clinical utility. This study suggests that corrections to output DECT concentration measurements may be necessary for clinically acceptable aBMD or trabecular BMD values

Piezoelectric Fans using Higher Flexural Modes for Electronics Cooling Applications

Piezoelectric fans are gaining in popularity as low-power-consumption and low-noise devices for the removal of heat in confined spaces. The performance of piezoelectric fans has been studied by several authors, although primarily at the fundamental resonance mode. In this article the performance of piezoelectric fans operating at the higher resonance modes is studied in detail. Experiments are performed on a number of commercially available piezoelectric fans of varying length. Both finite element modeling and experimental impedance measure- ments are used to demonstrate that the electromechanical energy conversion (electromechanical coupling factors) in certain modes can be greater than in the first bending mode; however, losses in the piezoceramic are also shown to be higher at those modes. The overall power consumption of the fans is also found to increase with increasing mode number. Detailed flow visualizations are also performed to understand both the transient and steady-state fluid motion around these fans. The results indicate that certain advantages of piezoelectric fan operation at higher resonance modes are offset by increased power consumption and decreased fluid flow

Resonant Magnetic Vortices

By using the complex angular momentum method, we provide a semiclassical analysis of electron scattering by a magnetic vortex of Aharonov-Bohm-type. Regge poles of the $S$-matrix are associated with surface waves orbiting around the vortex and supported by a magnetic field discontinuity. Rapid variations of sharp characteristic shapes can be observed on scattering cross sections. They correspond to quasibound states which are Breit-Wigner-type resonances associated with surface waves and which can be considered as quantum analogues of acoustic whispering-gallery modes. Such a resonant magnetic vortex could provide a new kind of artificial atom while the semiclassical approach developed here could be profitably extended in various areas of the physics of vortices.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Kick Stability Analysis of the LHC Inflectors

Two sets of four LHC inflector magnet systems must produce a kick of 1.36 Tm each with a duration of 6.5 µs, a rise time of 750 ns, and an overall stability of ± 0.5%. The electrical circuit of the complete system, including all known stray quantities, has been simulated with PSpice. Many stray elements were determined from Opera2D simulations which included eddy-currents. 3D analyses have also been carried out for the kicker magnet using the electromagnetic analysis code Opera3D. Equivalent circuits which simulate the frequency dependence of inductance and resistance of the Pulse Forming Network (PFN) have been derived. The dimensions of the PFN coil have been selected to give the correct pulse response. The end cells of the PFN have also been optimised. The discharge stability of various PFN capacitors has been measured. This paper presents the results of both the analyses and measurements