169 research outputs found

    Breaking down Silos through Authentic Assessment: a Live Case Analysis

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    One of the aims of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is to create graduates who problem solve as socially responsible global citizens. We wanted to provide an opportunity for our students to address relevant, marketing and consumption challenges in new and innovative ways, and to develop analytical competences and professional skills and comportment in a real-life context. This paper describes the design, implementation and outcome of an inter-disciplinary and cross-programme ‘authentic assessment’ method which we have termed a ‘live case analysis’. The assessment comprised fieldwork, wider industry engagement, formative assessment components and a summative presentation. The method is discussed against the backdrop of a Curriculum Framework project which is underpinned by four design principles which centre around innovation, application, collaboration and flexibility. The performance of real-world tasks such as live case analysis strongly reflects the central pedagogical values of what, where and how people will learn at TU Dublin in the future.Freeman, O.; Hand, R.; Kennedy, A. (2020). Breaking down Silos through Authentic Assessment: a Live Case Analysis. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):801-809. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11150OCS80180930-05-202

    Breaking Down Silos Through Authentic Assessment: A Live Case Analysis

    Get PDF
    One of the aims of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is to create graduates who problem solve as socially responsible global citizens. We wanted to provide an opportunity for our students to address relevant, marketing and consumption challenges in new and innovative ways, and to develop analytical competences and professional skills and comportment in a real-life context. This paper describes the design, implementation and outcome of an inter-disciplinary and cross-programme \u27authentic assessment\u27 method which we have termed a \u27live case analysis\u27. The assessment comprised fieldwork, wider industry engagement, formative assessment components and a summative presentation. The method is discussed against the backdrop of a Curriculum Framework project which is underpinned by four design principles which centre around innovation, application, collaboration, and flexibility. The performance of real-world tasks such as live case analysis strongly reflects the central pedagogical values of what, where and how people will learn at TU Dublin in the future

    How the Internet of Things (IoT) is Adding Proactivity to Insurance

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    20 pagesIn recent years, the insurance industry has seen a major shift in how data is used, specifically in the realm of risk prevention. Advancements in technology within the Internet of Things (IoT) have enabled more comprehensive data analysis, changing the way the industry views risk. This has led to an increased emphasis on solutions that are proactive, preventing risk as opposed to merely mitigating losses. Despite the industry being historically slow-moving and focused on response to risk, new offerings are now promoting prediction and prevention of risk. This report will explore the implementation of the Internet of Things into the insurance industry. First, the concepts of IoT and proactivity will be described. The state of the insurance industry will then be examined, followed by the culture of innovation within insurance companies and how it holds a significant role in driving the industry forward. A select overview of insurtech solutions that contribute to the theme of proactivity within IoT will be detailed. To follow, looming adoption issues will be addressed. Finally, the report will outline up-and-coming strategies in the industry, including the rising trends of integration and gamification

    Comprehensive Record of Volcanic Eruptions in the Holocene (11,000 years) From the WAIS Divide, Antarctica Ice Core

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    A comprehensive record (WHV2020) of explosive volcanic eruptions in the last 11,000 years is reconstructed from the West Antarctica Ice Sheet Divide deep ice core (WDC). The chronological list of 426 large volcanic eruptions in the Southern Hemisphere and the low latitudes during the Holocene are of the highest quality of all volcanic records from ice cores, owing to the high-resolution chemical measurement of the ice core and the exceptionally accurate WDC timescale. No apparent trend is found in the frequency (number of eruptions per millennium) of volcanic eruptions, and the number of eruptions in the most recent millennium (1,000–2,000 CE) is only slightly higher than the average in the last 11 millennia. The atmospheric aerosol mass loading of climate-impacting sulfur, estimated from measured volcanic sulfate deposition, is dominated by explosive eruptions with extraordinarily high sulfur mass loading. Signals of three major volcanic eruptions are detected in the second half of the 17th century (1700–1600) BCE when the Thera volcano in the eastern Mediterranean was suspected to have erupted; the fact that these signals are synchronous with three volcanic eruptions detected in Greenland ice cores suggests that these are likely eruptions in the low latitudes and none should be attributed exclusively to Thera. A number of eruptions with very high sulfur mass loading took place shortly before and during an early Holocene climatic episode, the so-called 8.2 ka event, and are speculated to have contributed to the initiation and magnitude of the cold event

    Maternal topoisomerase II alpha, not topoisomerase II beta, enables embryonic development of zebrafish top2a-/- mutants

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    Background Genetic alterations in human topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) are linked to cancer susceptibility. TOP2A decatenates chromosomes and thus is necessary for multiple aspects of cell division including DNA replication, chromosome condensation and segregation. Topoisomerase II alpha is also required for embryonic development in mammals, as mouse Top2a knockouts result in embryonic lethality as early as the 4-8 cell stage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the extended developmental capability of zebrafish top2a mutants arises from maternal expression of top2a or compensation from its top2b paralogue. Results Here, we describe bloody minded (blm), a novel mutant of zebrafish top2a. In contrast to mouse Top2a nulls, zebrafish top2a mutants survive to larval stages (4-5 day post fertilization). Developmental analyses demonstrate abundant expression of maternal top2a but not top2b. Inhibition or poisoning of maternal topoisomerase II delays embryonic development by extending the cell cycle M-phase. Zygotic top2a and top2b are co-expressed in the zebrafish CNS, but endogenous or ectopic top2b RNA appear unable to prevent the blm phenotype. Conclusions We conclude that maternal top2a enables zebrafish development before the mid-zygotic transition (MZT) and that zebrafish top2a and top2b are not functionally redundant during development after activation of the zygotic genome

    A chemo- and regioselective tandem [3+2]heteroannulation strategy for carbazole synthesis : combining two mechanistically distinct bond-forming processes

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    A modular approach to prepare tri- and tetracyclic carbazoles by a sequential [3 + 2]heteroannulation is described. First, optimization of Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig amination followed by C/N-arylation in a one-pot process is established. Second, mechanistic analyses identified the origins of chemo- and regioselective sequential control of both bond-forming steps. Finally, the substrate scope is demonstrated by the preparation of a range of tri- and tetracyclic carbazoles, including expedient access to several natural products and anti-cancer agents

    The Grizzly, September 12, 2013

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    Reimert Arrest • USGA Leadership Retreat • Construction in Thomas and Pfahler • Ursinus Site Undergoes Update • 14th Annual Fringe Festival • New Pitch Program Rewards Creativity • Policy Changes a Result of Student Demand • Opinion: Chemical Attacks Need International Response; We Should Stay Out of Syria • UC\u27s Open Laptops • Volleyball Counting on Newcomers This Season • Athletic Training Room Source of Aid and Knowledge • Men\u27s Soccer Looking to Improve • More Shots a Priority for Bearshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1885/thumbnail.jp

    Agricultural intensification heightens food safety risks posed by wild birds

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    Agricultural intensification and simplification are key drivers of recent declines in wild bird populations, heightening the need to better balance conservation with food production. This is hindered, however, by perceptions that birds threaten food safety. While birds are known reservoirs of foodborne pathogens, there remains uncertainty about the links between landscape context, farming practices, and actual crop contamination by birds. Here, we examine relationships between landscape context, farming practices, and pathogen contamination by birds using a barrier-to-spillover approach. First, we censused bird communities using point count surveys. Second, we collected 2,024 faecal samples from captured birds alongside 1,215 faecal samples from brassica fields and food processing areas across 50 farms spanning the USA West Coast. We then estimated the prevalence of three foodborne pathogens across landscape and livestock intensification gradients. Finally, we quantified the number of plants with faeces. Campylobacterspp. were detected in 10.2% of faeces from captured birds and 13.1% of faeces from production areas. Non-native birds were 4.1 times more likely to haveCampylobacterspp. than native birds.Salmonellaspp. were detected in 0.2% of faeces from production areas and were never detected in captured birds. We detected evidence of Shiga toxigenicE. coliin one sample across the >3,200 tested. Campylobacterspp. prevalence in faeces from production areas increased with increasing mammalian livestock densities in the landscape but decreased with increasing amounts of natural habitat. We encountered bird faeces on 3.3% of plants examined. Despite the impact on pathogen prevalence, amount of natural habitat in the landscape did not increase the number of plants with bird faeces, although on-farm mammalian livestock density slightly did. Synthesis and applications. Food safety and wildlife conservation are often thought to be in conflict. However, our findings suggest that natural habitat around farms may reduce crop contamination rates by birds. This is perhaps because natural habitat can promote native birds that are less likely to harbour foodborne pathogens or because it decreases contact with livestock waste. Our results suggest that preservation of natural habitats around farms could benefit both conservation and food safety, contrary to current standards for 'best practices'

    Comparison of Raw Dairy Manure Slurry and Anaerobically Digested Slurry as N Sources for Grass Forage Production

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    We conducted a 3-year field study to determine how raw dairy slurry and anaerobically digested slurry (dairy slurry and food waste) applied via broadcast and subsurface deposition to reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) affected forage biomass, N uptake, apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR), and soil nitrate concentrations relative to urea. Annual N applications ranged from 600 kg N ha−1 in 2009 to 300 g N ha−1 in 2011. Forage yield and N uptake were similar across slurry treatments. Soil nitrate concentrations were greatest at the beginning of the fall leaching season, and did not differ among slurry treatments or application methods. Urea-fertilized plots had the highest soil nitrate concentrations but did not consistently have greatest forage biomass. ANR for the slurry treatments ranged from 35 to 70% when calculations were based on ammonium-N concentration, compared with 31 to 65% for urea. Slurry ANR calculated on a total N basis was lower (15 to 40%) due to lower availability of the organic N in the slurries. No consistent differences in soil microbial biomass or other biological indicators were observed. Anaerobically digested slurry supported equal forage production and similar N use efficiency when compared to raw dairy slurry
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