Predicting the Future Competence Needs in Working Life: Didactical Implications for VET

Context: Two major challenges in professional and vocational education (VET) are low levels of relevance and coherence between the content of the educational program and developing competence in working life. This article is based on an action research project, conducted as a series of experiments at vocational upper secondary schools and during the basic course for postgraduate certificate teaching in professional education for professional educators in Norway. It was carried out with a focus on job-related professional education to meet these challenges. The project is based on a pragmatic theoretical perspective in professional didactical teaching. Methods: The action research included experiments, observations, evaluations, qualitative questionnaires and interviews. Findings: The results show empirical examples of didactical principles in job-related professional education; the core of these being the analysis of work tasks and work practice as a basis for curricula analysis and planning of teaching and assessing. This includes job-related planning of content, teaching and assessment according to comprehensive professional competence. The results also show challenges linked to job-related professional education. Conclusions: The overall results show a need for the development of professional didactical teaching competencies that focus on job-related professional education, to meet the future needs for competence in work life

Vurdering for yrkesrelevant opplæring

Nye vurderingsverktøy som var kjent for elevene førte til økt motivasjon og økt læringsutbytte. Vurderingsverktøyene hadde tydelige kjennetegn med beskrivelse av kvaliteten på kompetansemålene og nivå for måloppnåelse. Stor grad av elevmedvirkning gjennom elevenes deltakelse i valg av arbeidsmåter, egenvurdering og yrkesrelevante kjennetegn bidro til meningsfull og yrkesrelevant opplæring. Artikkelen bygger på et aksjonsforskningsprosjekt (2006 – 2010) om kunnskapsutvikling og implementering av nye læreplaner (Kunnskapsløftet 2006) i Norge. Lav yrkesrelevans og stort frafall i den norske yrkesopplæringen var bakgrunnen for aksjonsforskningsprosjektet. For å utvikle yrkesrelevant og meningsfylt opplæring preget av elevmedvirkning, fra første dag i videregående skole, stod utvikling av lærernes yrkespedagogiske og -didaktiske kompetanse gjennom skoleutviklingsprosjekter sentralt i aksjonsforskningsprosjektet. I aksjonsforskningsprosjektet forsket lærere i videregående skole på egen praksis gjennom utvikling av yrkesdidaktiske metoder som blant annet nye vurderingsverktøy som fremmet yrkesrelevant opplæring. Artikkelen belyser og drøfter hvordan utvikling av vurderingsverktøy med kjennetegn kan fremme yrkesrelevant opplæring og dets utfordringer

Advantages and Current Limitation of One-Part Geopolymers Developed for O&G Industry: Apple-to-Apple Comparison

The development of geopolymers for use in the oil and gas industry has gained significant recognition in recent years due to the pressing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives in the sector. The oil and gas industry has a significant impact on the environment, and the cementing in oil and gas operations contribute to a large part of the total emissions. Geopolymers, on the other hand, offer a viable solution that not only reduces the environmental impact but also offers improved performance and cost-effectiveness. This work addresses evaluation of a one-part granite-based geopolymer developed for O&G industry, with focus on well construction and well abandonment. To evaluate potential of the technology, a comparison is done with neat API class G cement. The evaluation includes essential tests defined by API RP 10B-2 such as free water and fluid loss, thickening time, viscosity, sonic strength, uniaxial compressive strength, and static gel strength. In this study of geopolymers, I made notable findings regarding its characteristics and challenges. One key observation is the difficulty in mixing. Consistency tests revealed that after mixing, the geopolymer will be thicker in the beginning, then gets thinner with shearing. This finding presents challenges in achieving desired workability. Additionally, the study examined the fluid retention properties of geopolymers compared to conventional cement (OPC). Geopolymers showed relatively good fluid retention, although not meeting the standard requirements. This indicates a need for further research to improve fluid retention capabilities. Another significant finding is the absence of free water in geopolymer samples. This suggests that water used in the mixture becomes chemically bound during geopolymerization, contributing to its strength and durability. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the behavior and properties of geopolymers in the oil and gas industry. While challenges in mixing consistency and fluid retention exist, the absence of free water highlights the potential of geopolymers as sustainable alternatives. Further research and optimization efforts can unlock enhanced performance and broader applications.The development of geopolymers for use in the oil and gas industry has gained significant recognition in recent years due to the pressing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives in the sector. The oil and gas industry has a significant impact on the environment, and the cementing in oil and gas operations contribute to a large part of the total emissions. Geopolymers, on the other hand, offer a viable solution that not only reduces the environmental impact but also offers improved performance and cost-effectiveness. This work addresses evaluation of a one-part granite-based geopolymer developed for O&G industry, with focus on well construction and well abandonment. To evaluate potential of the technology, a comparison is done with neat API class G cement. The evaluation includes essential tests defined by API RP 10B-2 such as free water and fluid loss, thickening time, viscosity, sonic strength, uniaxial compressive strength, and static gel strength. In this study of geopolymers, I made notable findings regarding its characteristics and challenges. One key observation is the difficulty in mixing. Consistency tests revealed that after mixing, the geopolymer will be thicker in the beginning, then gets thinner with shearing. This finding presents challenges in achieving desired workability. Additionally, the study examined the fluid retention properties of geopolymers compared to conventional cement (OPC). Geopolymers showed relatively good fluid retention, although not meeting the standard requirements. This indicates a need for further research to improve fluid retention capabilities. Another significant finding is the absence of free water in geopolymer samples. This suggests that water used in the mixture becomes chemically bound during geopolymerization, contributing to its strength and durability. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the behavior and properties of geopolymers in the oil and gas industry. While challenges in mixing consistency and fluid retention exist, the absence of free water highlights the potential of geopolymers as sustainable alternatives. Further research and optimization efforts can unlock enhanced performance and broader applications

The Effects of Perinatal Fluoxetine Exposure on Social and Non-Social Investigation Behaviors in a Novel Environment

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are increasingly prescribed as medication for various affective disorders during pregnancy. SSRIs cross the placenta and affect serotonergic neurotransmission in the fetus, but the neurobehavioral consequences for the offspring remain largely unclear. Recent research has linked perinatal SSRI exposure to alterations in both social and non-social aspects of behavior. However, this research has mainly focused on behavior within simplified environments. The current study investigates the effects of perinatal exposure to SSRIs on social and non-social investigation behaviors when the individual is introduced to a novel seminatural environment with unfamiliar conspecifics. During the perinatal period (gestational day 1 until postnatal day 21), rat dams received daily either SSRI treatment (fluoxetine 10 mg/kg) or vehicle. Four cohorts of offspring, each consisting of four males and four females, were observed in adulthood during the first hour within a seminatural environment. The results showed that perinatal fluoxetine exposure altered aspects of non-social, but not social, investigation behaviors. Both fluoxetine exposed male and female rats spent more time on walking/running than controls, while fluoxetine exposed females also walked/ran more often than control animals. Furthermore, compared to control, fluoxetine exposed female rats spent less time exploring objects and specific elements in the physical environment. We suggest that perinatal exposure to SSRI lead to a quicker, less detailed investigation strategy in novel environments, and that the alteration is most pronounced in females. Whether this effect is disadvantageous or not is yet to be revealed

Interventions Addressing Social and Leisure Participation for Adults with Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain

FOCUS QUESTION: P - Adults 18-90 years of age I - Exploration of most effective OT programs and interventions C - Musculoskeletal chronic pain O - Improved participation in social and leisure activities What are the most effective occupational therapy interventions to improve social and leisure participation in adults aged 18 to 90 who experience chronic musculoskeletal pain

Molecular model of the outward facing state of the human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), and comparison to a model of the human MRP5 (ABCC5)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multidrug resistance is a particular limitation to cancer chemotherapy, antibiotic treatment and HIV medication. The ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporters human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and the human MRP5 (ABCC5) are involved in multidrug resistance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In order to elucidate structural and molecular concepts of multidrug resistance, we have constructed a molecular model of the ATP-bound outward facing conformation of the human multidrug resistance protein ABCB1 using the Sav1866 crystal structure as a template, and compared the ABCB1 model with a previous ABCC5 model. The electrostatic potential surface (EPS) of the ABCB1 substrate translocation chamber, which transports cationic amphiphilic and lipophilic substrates, was neutral with negative and weakly positive areas. In contrast, EPS of the ABCC5 substrate translocation chamber, which transports organic anions, was generally positive. Positive-negative ratios of amino acids in the TMDs of ABCB1 and ABCC5 were also analyzed, and the positive-negative ratio of charged amino acids was higher in the ABCC5 TMDs than in the ABCB1 TMDs. In the ABCB1 model residues Leu65 (transmembrane helix 1 (TMH1)), Ile306 (TMH5), Ile340 (TMH6) and Phe343 (TMH6) may form a binding site, and this is in accordance with previous site directed mutagenesis studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Sav1866 X-ray structure may serve as a suitable template for the ABCB1 model, as it did with ABCC5. The EPS in the substrate translocation chambers and the positive-negative ratio of charged amino acids were in accordance with the transport of cationic amphiphilic and lipophilic substrates by ABCB1, and the transport of organic anions by ABCC5.</p

Co-creating public health measures with adolescents in municipalities: municipal actors’ views on inhibitors and promoters for adolescent involvement

Aim: To explore what municipal actors consider as inhibiting and promoting adolescents’ involvement in public health measures in municipalities. Methods: A qualitative study with individual and group interviews was conducted among 15 municipal actors who were central in involving adolescents from five Norwegian municipalities participating in the National Programme for Public Health Work in Municipalities (2017–2027). In addition, participatory observation of project activities was done in two municipalities. A data-driven thematic analysis was applied to analyse data. Results: In the analysis, we developed four themes, including both inhibitors and promoters for adolescent involvement: (a) Timeframe challenges in adolescent involvement; (b) Lack of necessary knowledge and awareness among adolescents; (c) Limited competencies and resources in the project groups; and (d) Facilitators’ attitudes on and perceptions of adolescent involvement. Conclusions: This study reports factors that are important to consider when facilitating involvement processes with young people. Findings suggest that further work should be done to ensure involvement of adolescents in public health measures in municipalities, and actors involving adolescents must be provided with competence and resources to ensure such participation.publishedVersio

Visualization Technology-Mediated Civic Engagement in Community-Driven Landscape Design: An Analysis & Evaluation of Pre-Built Design Outcomes

Engaging diverse stakeholders in decision making around the design and planning of public space is critical to building more sustainable, socially-just communities. Technology-mediated civic engagement can empower residents to interactively design the environment to meet community-specific needs which can lead to myriad positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes. This project proposes a model to evaluate the outcomes of a technology-mediated civic engagement method using a new software in the context of public space design and planning and tests the evaluative model with a case study. Visualization based decision support systems are being developed to provide non-professionals with tools to design their own landscapes. Land.Info is a decision support system that aids the design of sustainable open space by combining realistic 3D visualizations with data indicating the social, ecological and economic performance of a site that updates in real-time as users alter their design. However, at this point there is a lack of objective methods to evaluate design outcomes from these types of decision support systems (DSS). The overall aim of this practicum is to create an evaluation model to assess the potential socio-cultural impacts of pre-implementation design outcomes created using Land.info as a community-engagement open-space planning tool in a participatory setting. This paper has three main parts. The first part discusses and conceptualizes the nature of visualization and technology-mediated civic engagement. The second draws from existing evaluation models to create and explain a new model inclusive of features supporting workshop design goals. The final part discusses the value and limitations of the created evaluation model and suggests directions for further development and research.Master of Landscape ArchitectureSchool for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of Michiganhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150630/1/Sylte_Shannon_Practicum.pd

Binding site of ABC transporter homology models confirmed by ABCB1 crystal structure

The human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCB1, ABCC4 and ABCC5 are involved in resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Here we present molecular models of ABCB1, ABCC4 and ABCC5 by homology based on a wide open inward-facing conformation of Escherichia coli MsbA, which were constructed in order to elucidate differences in the electrostatic and molecular features of their drug recognition conformations. As a quality assurance of the methodology, the ABCB1 model was compared to an ABCB1 X-ray crystal structure, and with published crosslinking and site directed mutagenesis data of ABCB1. Amino acids Ile306 (TMH5), Ile340 (TMH6), Phe343 (TMH6), Phe728 (TMH7), and Val982 (TMH12), form a putative substrate recognition site in the ABCB1 model, which is confirmed by both the ABCB1 X-ray crystal structure and the sitedirected mutagenesis studies. The ABCB1, ABCC4 and ABCC5 models display distinct differences in the electrostatic properties of their drug recognition sites