Aspects of competence-based education as footholds to improve the connectivity between learning in school and in the workplace

Recent developments in competence-based education have motivated institutions of vocational education and training (VET) to improve the links or connectivity between learning in school and learning in the workplace, which has been a problem for decades. In previous research, a theoretical framework describing the underlying aspects of competence-based education was developed. In this study, three aspects of this framework were used to analyse connectivity between learning in school and learning in the workplace. These aspects were: i) authenticity, ii) selfresponsibility, and iii) the role of the teacher as expert and coach. Three stakeholder groups (i.e., students, teachers, and workplace training supervisors) involved in secondary VET programs in the field of life sciences in the Netherlands were questioned on these aspects. Based on their interviews, it is concluded that these aspects provide information about the process of connectivity. Because stakeholder groups hold different conceptions of workplace learning and often do not communicate adequately about mutual responsibilities, the implementation of these aspects of competence-based education has not significantly improved the connectivity situation. Nevertheless, these aspects of competence-based education can guide stakeholder groups in making clearer agreements about mutual responsibilities, which may improve connectivity in the futur

Interface enhancement of Gilbert damping from first-principles

The enhancement of Gilbert damping observed for Ni80Fe20 (Py) films in contact with the non-magnetic metals Cu, Pd, Ta and Pt, is quantitatively reproduced using first-principles scattering theory. The "spin-pumping" theory that qualitatively explains its dependence on the Py thickness is generalized to include a number of factors known to be important for spin transport through interfaces. Determining the parameters in this theory from first-principles shows that interface spin-flipping makes an essential contribution to the damping enhancement. Without it, a much shorter spin-flip diffusion length for Pt would be needed than the value we calculate independently

Direct Method for Calculating Temperature-Dependent Transport Properties

We show how temperature-induced disorder can be combined in a direct way with first-principles scattering theory to study diffusive transport in real materials. Excellent (good) agreement with experiment is found for the resistivity of Cu, Pd, Pt (and Fe) when lattice (and spin) disorder are calculated from first principles. For Fe, the agreement with experiment is limited by how well the magnetization (of itinerant ferromagnets) can be calculated as a function of temperature. By introducing a simple Debye-like model of spin disorder parameterized to reproduce the experimental magnetization, the temperature dependence of the average resistivity, the anisotropic magnetoresistance and the spin polarization of a Ni$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$ alloy are calculated and found to be in good agreement with existing data. Extension of the method to complex, inhomogeneous materials as well as to the calculation of other finite-temperature physical properties within the adiabatic approximation is straightforward.Comment: Accepted as a Rapid Communication in Physical Review

Apical Periodontitis in Vital and Nonvital Teeth: Clinical and Radiographic Features

Apical periodontitis (AP) is a common inflammatory condition predominantly caused by the response of the immune system to microbial invasion within the root canal system. Contrary to conventional perception, AP may occur in vital teeth with inflamed pulp; adding complexity to diagnosis and treatment. AP, due to its frequent lack of symptoms and reliance on radiographic evaluation for detection, often presents diagnostic challenges. In addition, AP pathogenesis involves complex interactions between microbial virulence and host immune response at the cellular and molecular levels. Comprehensive diagnostic procedures, including patient history, clinical examination, and radiographic evaluation, are essential for early detection and necessary intervention, with the recognition of clinical signs and symptoms underscoring the importance of regular dental evaluations. The current review primarily discusses the radiographic and clinical features of AP in vital and non-vital teeth; introducing a new taxonomic classification to improve diagnostic precision and treatment outcomes. Moreover, it proposes different treatment categories/options for the management of AP, based on pulp status as well as clinical and radiographic findings; emphasizing vital pulp therapy and root canal treatment for vital and non-vital teeth with AP, respectively. Furthermore, the global and regional epidemiology of AP is presented, along with its association with systemic health conditions; e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, future research directions are advocated to improve the efficacy and predictability of diagnosis and treatments; paving the path for clinicians in early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective management of AP to enhance oral health outcomes

Comprehensive competence-based vocational education : the development and use of a curriculum analysis and improvement model

Competentiegericht beroepsonderwijs is zowel nationaal als internationaal een populair concept. Een eenduidige definitie ontbrak echter, maar is wel noodzakelijk als uitspraken moeten worden gedaan over de effectiviteit er van. Door middel van het vaststellen van acht principes, die zijn uitgewerkt in vier fasen is een comprehensive (ofwel allesomvattend en samenhangend) model ontwikkeld dat beschrijft wat competentiegericht beroepsonderwijs inhoudt. Het model laat onder andere zien dat als competentieontwikkeling het doel van beroepsonderwijs is, de instructiemethoden daarop moeten worden aangepast. Met behulp van dit model is nader onderzoek gedaan hoe competentiegericht beroepsonderwijs zich manifesteert in de onderwijspraktijk. Op basis hiervan kan worden geconcludeerd dat competentiegericht beroepsonderwijs daadwerkelijk plaatsvindt in het agrarische MBO en HBO in Nederland; zowel studenten als docenten herkennen in zekere mate de principes van competentiegericht beroepsonderwijs in hun dagelijkse onderwijspraktijk. Dit vereist vervolgens andere rollen en taken van docenten. Naast expert, zijn de rollen ontwikkelaar, onderzoeker, coach en manager belangrijk volgens de docenten. Tot slot biedt het model handvatten om de verbinding tussen leren in de school en leren in de praktijk te verbeteren

Effectiveness of the new mandatory mouthguard use and orodental injuries in Dutch field hockey

Objectives:Up to 68% of field hockey players have experienced at least one orodental injury in their sport career. Therefore, the Royal Dutch Hockey Association (KNHB) made mouthguard use mandatory for field hockey players during competition and training from August 2015 onwards. This study evaluates the effects of the new regulations on mouthguard use and the occurrence of injuries in Dutch field hockey. Methods:A 35-item online questionnaire about mouthguard use and orodental injuries was sent to 13 field hockey clubs in the Netherlands. Absolute numbers and percentages of mouthguard ownership, mouthguard use, number and type of injuries were assessed. The results were related to comparable data before mandatory mouthguard use. Associations of gender and training frequency with the number of injuries were analysed with logistic regression. Results:In total, 1169 hockey players were included in the study and almost all owned a mouthguard (females:99.6%, males:93.7%), which significantly increased after implementation (p &lt; 0.001). 90.6% of the respondents wore a mouthguard during matches and 70.1% during training. Of the 1169 players, 68(5.8%) experienced at least one orodental injury after the implementation with a total of 100 injuries. Injuries happened more often during matches (63.2%) than during training (36.8%). Lip cuts account for most of the injuries, the number of broken (p = 0.116) and knocked out teeth (p = 0.026) decreased. Conclusion:Although mouthguard use already increased in recent years, the new regulations led to an additional increase and a successful change of attitude towards mouthguard use. Most importantly, the severity of orodental injuries decreased measurable.</p