An evaluation of generic skills outcomes in engineering education in Hong Kong

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Education.A survey driven evaluation of the outcomes of generic skills in higher engineering education in Hong Kong was conducted. The survey techniques involved questionnaire and interviews with both recently graduated engineers and their work-related engineering managers as well as with a focus group of university academics. The results indicated that, overall, mostly the recently graduated engineers did possess adequate levels of generic-type skills to carry out their basic tasks in the workplace. However, the graduate engineers appeared to be insufficiently prepared in certain specific areas, especially for job-related problem-solving and communication skills. The study's results also indicated that the majority of the graduate engineers and the engineering managers, viewed problem-solving and communication skills are most important priorities for the engineering profession. The majority of the engineering managers also rated the graduate engineers as generally satisfactory in performing their tasks in their organization. The results of the self evaluation of the overall knowledge and skills, relevant to the generic-type skills learned at university by the graduate engineers, indicated that a significant percentage did not have adequate generic-type skills to carry out a range of tasks in their workplace setting. The findings from the surveyed employers were of a similar nature, although some interesting differences in perception emerged. Some of the recent graduates were also critical of certain subject material content, inadequately provided in some of their university subjects. With the political change in Hong Kong society, the strategic improvement in communication in both English and Chinese (Putonghua) becomes more critical for the Hong Kong university graduates, because Hong Kong is closely tied with China and the Western world. Other generic-type skills, such as problem-solving techniques, inter-personal skills, team building, creative thinking, work integrity and ethics are absolutely necessary for all engineering graduates to meet the new requirements of the workplace. The importance of the generic-type skills was validated by the study results and showed agreement in these areas across industry (engineering managers) between graduate engineers and academics. Well educated citizens in Hong Kong will determine Hong Kong's competitiveness and its future. The process applied to teaching and learning in university and will also significantly affect future graduate engineers. Strategic improvements such as stressing the importance of communications in both English and Chinese (Putonghua), in addition, the application of problem-based learning, work-integrated-learning and lifelong learning are recommended to be improved in teaching and learning in university education. Lifelong learning, self-motivation and sense of self-efficacy are a must for all graduates in order to meet the new challenges of this changing world. Today, we live in an age when technology is advancing faster than at any other time in history. Educators should educate and provide graduates with generic-type skills to help them adapt intellectually to a changing world. Advances in technologies have also put engineering education at the forefront of innovation and creativity, two traits which have contributed to Hong Kong's global status. The old misconception that engineers are only about technology needs to be broken. Engineers who can communicate, have innovative mindset problem solving skills plus good people skills and leadership ability, as well as be technically competent and proficient are needed in the 21st century

Evaluating the efficacy of primary treatment for graves' disease complicated by thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Objective. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a potentially life-threatening complication of Graves' disease (GD). The present study compared the long-term efficacy of antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI), and surgery in GD/TPP. Methods. Sixteen patients with GD/TPP were followed over a 14-year period. ATD was generally prescribed upfront for 12-18 months before RAI or surgery was considered. Outcomes such as thyrotoxic or TPP relapses were compared between the three modalities. Results. Eight (50.0%) patients had ATD alone, 4 (25.0%) had RAI, and 4 (25.0%) had surgery as primary treatment. Despite being able to withdraw ATD in all 8 patients for 37.5 (22-247) months, all subsequently developed thyrotoxic relapses and 4 (50.0%) had ≥1 TPP relapses. Of the four patients who had RAI, two (50%) developed thyrotoxic relapse after 12 and 29 months, respectively, and two (50.0%) became hypothyroid. The median required RAI dose to render hypothyroidism was 550 (350-700) MBq. Of the 4 patients who underwent surgery, none developed relapses but all became hypothyroid. Conclusion. To minimize future relapses, more definitive primary treatment such as RAI or surgery is preferred over ATD alone. If RAI is chosen over surgery, a higher dose (>550 MBq) is recommended.published_or_final_versio

Teaching introductory electrical engineering: project-based learning experience

Conference Theme: Fostering Innovation and Excellence in Engineering EducationSession H1BThis paper presents an integration of a loosely defined design project in an introductory electrical engineering course. The proposed project aims to introduce first-year engineering students to the world of electrical engineering and develop their general engineering skills. Because of its innovative and unconventional nature, a Rube Goldberg machine has been used as the project vehicle. In the project, students have been asked to design the machine with electrical sensors and actuators. Connected learning and assessment activities have been designed to engage students in deep understanding. Students thought the project was challenging, and could develop their technical skills and creativity.published_or_final_versio

Track A Basic Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138319/1/jia218438.pd

Active metabolite of vitamin D acutely reduces endothelium-dependent contractions in the isolated SHR aorta

Recent studies proved that vitamin D has cardiovascular effects besides regulating calcium homeostasis. Objectives: To study the effect of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) on endothelium-dependent responses of the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Rings of aortae were suspended in organ chambers for isometric force measurement. Agonist-induced endothelium-dependent and independent responses as well as prostacyclin release were measured in the absence or presence of calcitriol. Cytosolic calcium concentration was monitored by confocal microscopy after incubation with fluorescent dyes, Fluo-4 and Fura-red. Results: Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by administration of calcitriol while the acetylcholine- and ATP-induced endothelium-dependent contractions were reduced compared to those obtained in the absence of the drug. This effect was not present if the calcium ionophore A23187 was used as agonist. Acetylcholine- but not A23187 -induced release of prostacylin was reduced by acute administration of calcitriol. Exposure to calcitriol reduced the increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration caused by acetylcholine in the endothelial cells. Conclusions: This study shows that calcitriol can modulate vascular tone by reducing the release of endothelium-derived contracting factor(s). (Partly supported by the CeDAR Foundation

Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 plays a key role in the endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a regulatory enzyme found in most mammalian cells, catalyzes the breakdown of membrane phospholipids to arachidonic acid. There are two major cytosolic types of the enzyme, calcium-dependent (cPLA2) and calcium-independent (iPLA2) PLA2. The present study investigated whether or not iPLA2 plays a role in the endothelium-dependent contractions of the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat and its normotensive counterpart, the Wistar-Kyoto rat. The presence of iPLA2 in the endothelial cells was identified by using immunochemistry and immunoblotting. Aortic rings with and without the endothelium were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The production of prostanoids was measured by using enzyme immunoassay kits. iPLA2 was densely distributed in endothelial cells of the aorta of both strains. At 3 x 10-6 M, the selective iPLA 2 inhibitor, bromoenol lactone (BEL), abrogated endothelium-dependent contractions induced by acetylcholine but not those evoked by the calcium ionophore A-23187. The effects of BEL were similar in the aortae of Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. The nonselective PLA2 inhibitor quinacrine abolished the contractions triggered by both acetylcholine and A-23187, whereas the store-operated calcium channel inhibitor SKF-96365 prevented only the acetylcholine-induced contraction. The acetylcholine- but not the A-23187-induced release of 6-keto prostaglandin F1α was inhibited by BEL. The release of thromboxane B2 by either acetylcholine or A-23187 was not affected by BEL. In conclusion, iPLA 2 plays a substantial role in the generation of endothelium-derived contracting factor evoked by acetylcholine. Copyright © 2010 the American Physiological Society.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Effects of lysophosphoglycerides on cardiac arrhythmias

The accumulation of lysophosphoglycerides has been implicated as an important biochemical factor for cardiac arrhythmia. Recently, we demonstrated that lysophosphatidylcholine caused cardiac arrhythmia in the isolated hamster heart. In this study, the arrhythmogenic nature of various lysophosphoglycerides with respect to acyl chain lengths and base groups were assessed. We demonstrated that all naturally occurring lysolipids tested were arrhythmogenic at 0.05-0.10 mM. Arrhythmia were also observed with Triton X-100 or sodium laurylsulfate at 0.05 - 0.10 mM. These data suggest that no correlation exists between the arrhythmogenic nature of the lysolipids and their critical micelle concentrations. We postulate that arrhythmias are produced by the detergent effect of lysophosphoglycerides.link_to_subscribed_fulltex