Między dyscyplinami wiedzy a zawodami

The author posits that university curricula should reflect the needs of the job market - an important aspect of the relationship between a university and its environment. He suggests that a “professional orientation” in university education should be developed. Students would be exposed to fields of knowledge providing them with necessary background for practicing given professions. He outlines a procedure indicating how changes in the job market could affect the construction of new curricula.W artykule poruszono jeden z ważnych aspektów odrębności dwóch światów: uniwersytetu i jego otoczenia. Jego autor prezentuje pogląd, że „zawodowa orientacja” uniwersytetu powinna polegać przede wszystkim na określeniu, jakie dziedziny wiedzy i w jakim zakresie są konieczne do wykonywania poszczególnych zawodów. W tym kontekście proponuje pewien punkt widzenia na sposób rozwiązywania problemu „arbitralności i nieprzystawalności programów studiów do rynku pracy”

Co Internet zmienia w tradycyjnej dydaktyce akademickiej?

The article discusses the impact of computer technology and, in particular, the Internet on academic teaching methods. The author points out that the Internet allows much greater transparency in the teaching process, which can potentially lead to improvement in the quality of teaching. The Internet facilitates direct interactions between the student and the teacher. The article also discusses efforts to improve teachers’ skills in using information and communication technologies for teaching purposes and points out the need to introduce basic courses in IT skills for university students. In this context, initiatives undertaken by US universities, i.e. Open Course Ware (MIT) and Open Knowledge Initiative, are discussed in brief.Autor omawia wpływ techniki komputerowej, a zwłaszcza Internetu, na metody nauczania akademickiego. Zwraca uwagę, że Internet pozwala na znacznie większą jawność procesu dydaktycznego oraz ułatwia bezpośredni kontakt studenta z nauczycielem, co powinno służyć poprawie jakości kształcenia. Pisze o podnoszeniu kwalifikacji nauczycieli akademickich w zakresie posługiwania się technologiami informacyjno-komunikacyjnymi w dydaktyce oraz wskazuje na potrzebę wprowadzenia na uczelniach przysposobienia informatycznego dla studentów. Krótko wspomina o inicjatywach uczelni amerykańskich: Open Course Ware (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) oraz Open Knowledge lnitiative

The Influences of Growth, Maturational Timing and Physical Activity on Adult Bone Structural Strength at the Proximal Femur

None Supplie

The timing of peak tissue velocities at the proximal femur during adolescence

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the timing of the age and the magnitude of peak lean tissue mass accrual (peak lean tissue velocity, PLTV) as it relates to the age and magnitude of peak cross sectional area velocity (PCSAV) and section modulus velocity (PZV) of proximal femur in both males and females during adolescence. We hypothesized that the age of PLTV would precede the age of PCSAV and PZV and that there be a positive relationship between the magnitude of PLTV and both PCSAV and PZV in both genders. Methods: 41 males and 42 females aged 8-18 years were selected from the Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study (1991-2005). Participants’ total body lean tissue mass was assessed annually for 6 consecutive years using DXA. Narrow neck, intertrochanteric and femoral shaft cross sectional areas (CSA) and section modulus (Z) were determined annually using the hip structural analysis (HSA) program. Participants were aligned by maturational age (years from peak height velocity). Lean tissue mass, CSA, and Z were converted into whole year velocities and the maturational age of peak tissue velocities was determined using a cubic spline curve fitting procedure. A 2x3 (gender x tissue) factorial MANOVA with repeated measures was used to test for differences between age of PLTV and both, the age of PCSAV and PZV between males and females. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between PLTV and both PCSAV and PZV.Results: There were no sex differences in the ages at which tissue peaks occurred when aligned by maturational age. There were significant differences between the age of PLTV and both PCSAV and PZV at the narrow neck (p=0.001) and femoral shaft (p=0.03), where the age of PLTV preceded both PCSAV and PZV when pooled by gender. There were no significant differences at the intertrochanteric site (p=0.814). PLTV was a significant predictor of the magnitude of both PCSAV and PZV at all sites (

Systemy punktacji jako narzędzie konstrukcji programów studiów i oceny postępów studenta w uczelniach amerykańskich oraz w programie SOCRATES/ERASMUS

A comparison of the credit point system and related concepts in American colleges and universities and the European Union SOCRATES/ERASMUS Programme is presented. The concepts of credit hours, credit points, grade point average, degree programme, major and basic educational requirements are defined; their use is illustrated by examples taken from bulletins of several American universities. Analogous terms in the European Credit Transfer System, are analysed. It is argued that the American system is more flexible and efficient in transferring credits and in creating new academic programmes.W artykule przedstawiono porównanie systemów punktów zaliczeniowych oraz związanych z nimi pojęć i mechanizmów stosowanych w uczelniach Stanów Zjednoczonych z Europejskim Systemem Przenoszenia Zaliczeń (ECTS), będącym częścią programu SOCRATES/ERASMUS. Omówiono takie pojęcia, jak: godziny i punkty zaliczeniowe, programy dyplomowe, kierunek główny oraz wymagania wykształcenia ogólnego. Zostały one zilustrowane przykładami zaczerpniętymi z materiałów informacyjnych kilku amerykańskich uniwersytetów. Przedstawiono interpretację porównawczą podobnych pojęć, występujących w programie ECTS. Uzasadniono tezę, że system punktów zaliczeniowych stosowany w Stanach Zjednoczonych, a będący pierwowzorem ECTS, jest bardziej elastyczny i lepiej się nadaje do tworzenia indywidualnych programów studiów

Jak zmieniał się Wydział Matematyki, Informatyki i Mechaniki Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego w latach 1991-2016

We describe how the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics of the University of Warsaw (Faculty MIM for short) has been changing during the years 1991-2016. These changes were motivated by a change of the political system in Poland, affecting academic life, as well as the growing import_ance of Computer Science (Informatics). Moving MIM’s faculty to another building was a catalyst for change, giving the community a chance to reevaluate various aspects of academic life. In the new environment faculty members were treated more as individual researchers rather than employees of various organizational units. Improved working conditions helped to create a sense of community. An import_ant goal was to achieve a synergy effect resulting from the close collaboration of mathematicians and computer scientists. The faculty of MIM acted against the fragmentation of the university, which was typical of Poland during the last decade of the 20th century. It initiated a university-wide recruitment system for students, produced and introduced innovative software (University Study-Oriented System (USOS)) and paid special attention to service courses in mathematics and computer science. Long before the introduction of the Bologna system, the five-year curriculum at MIM was divided into bachelor and master programs that contained an extended range of elective courses. To meet the requirements of the quickly changing disciplines and to motivate young researchers, a flat organization structure of the Faculty was introduced. An import_ant element of a transparent Human Resources policy is a system of financial bonuses for the most active researchers and teachers. We emphasize that the global character of mathematical sciences, and the tradition of the Warsaw mathematical school, are key factors forming standards and values of the community.W artykule przedstawiono ewolucyjne zmiany, które zachodziły na Wydziale Matematyki, Informatyki i Mechaniki Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego w latach 1991-2016. Wynikały one z uwarunkowań zewnętrznych (zmiany ustrojowe), rosnącego znaczenia informatyki, a także refleksji środowiska. Katalizatorem zmian stało się w 1991 r. przeniesienie Wydziału do innego budynku, wymagającego modernizacji na jego potrzeby. W nowej siedzibie podjęto program większego upodmiotowienia pracowników, integracji środowiska Wydziału oraz wykorzystania efektu synergii wynikającego z obecności matematyków i informatyków w ramach jednego Wydziału. WMIM starał się o utrzymanie spoistości Uniwersytetu m.in. poprzez zainicjowanie i przeprowadzanie wspólnej rekrutacji na studia, wprowadzenie Uniwersyteckiego Systemu Obsługi Studiów, a także zabieganie o zajęcia usługowe dla innych wydziałów. Ponadto przedstawiono wspólne przedsięwzięcia WMIM z innymi ośrodkami matematycznymi w kraju. WMIM na długo przed formalnym przyjęciem wymagań procesu bolońskiego wprowadził licencjat, a także uelastycznił program studiów, ułatwiając studentom wybór przedmiotów oraz zapewniając transparentność studiów. Wyzwoleniu inicjatywy młodych badaczy służyło spłaszczanie struktury organizacyjnej, prowadzenie transparentnej polityki kadrowej oraz funkcjonowanie systemu motywacyjnych dodatków do wynagrodzenia. Podkreślono, że globalny charakter nauk matematycznych i tradycja warszawskiej szkoły matematycznej stanowią zasadniczy czynnik kształtowania hierarchii wartości i ambicji środowiska

Adolescent trajectories of aerobic fitness and adiposity as markers of cardiometabolic risk in adulthood

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether adolescent growth trajectories of aerobic fitness and adiposity were associated with mid-adulthood cardiometabolic risk (CMR). Methods: Participants were drawn from the Saskatchewan Growth and Development Study (1963-1973). Adolescent growth trajectories for maximal aerobic capacity (absolute VO2 (AbsVO2)), skinfolds (SF), representing total body (Sum6SF) and central adiposity (TrunkSF), and body mass index (BMI) were determined from 7 to 17 years of age. In mid-adulthood (40 to 50 years of age), 61 individuals (23 females) returned for follow-ups. A CMR score was calculated to group participants as displaying either high or a low CMR. Multilevel hierarchical models were constructed, comparing the adolescent growth trajectories of AbsVO2, Sum6SF, TrunkSF, and BMI between CMR groupings. Results: There were no significant differences in the adolescent development of AbsVO2, Sum6SF, TrunkSF, and BMI between adult CMR groupings (p > 0.05). Individuals with high CMR accrued 62% greater adjusted total body fat percentage from adolescence to adulthood (p=0.03). Conclusions: Growth trajectories of adolescent aerobic fitness and adiposity do not appear to be associated with mid-adulthood CMR. Individuals should be encouraged to participate in behaviours that promote healthy aerobic fitness and adiposity levels throughout life to reduce lifelong CMR

Preterm birth and adolescent bone mineral content

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of preterm low birth weight on bone mineral content in adolescence. In 2007 to 2008, data on adolescents were obtained for study, including 16 females and 25 males who were born preterm (37 weeks' gestation) between October 1, 1989, and December 31, 1995, with a birth weight of less than 1850 g. Preterm low-birth-weight individuals were age- and sex-matched to full-term (>37 weeks) normal-birth-weight (>2500 g) controls. Total body, hip, and spine bone mineral content (BMC) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Male preterm individuals had less BMC at the proximal femur in adolescence compared with controls (p < 0.05). However, once adjusted for age, maturity, height, weight, physical activity, and diet, there were no differences between groups (p < 0.05) in any bone parameters. These findings suggest that preterm birth and low birth weight did not influence bone accrual in these individuals at adolescence

Using linear and natural cubic splines, SITAR, and latent trajectory models to characterise nonlinear longitudinal growth trajectories in cohort studies

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal data analysis can improve our understanding of the influences on health trajectories across the life-course. There are a variety of statistical models which can be used, and their fitting and interpretation can be complex, particularly where there is a nonlinear trajectory. Our aim was to provide an accessible guide along with applied examples to using four sophisticated modelling procedures for describing nonlinear growth trajectories. METHODS: This expository paper provides an illustrative guide to summarising nonlinear growth trajectories for repeatedly measured continuous outcomes using (i) linear spline and (ii) natural cubic spline linear mixed-effects (LME) models, (iii) Super Imposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) nonlinear mixed effects models, and (iv) latent trajectory models. The underlying model for each approach, their similarities and differences, and their advantages and disadvantages are described. Their application and correct interpretation of their results is illustrated by analysing repeated bone mass measures to characterise bone growth patterns and their sex differences in three cohort studies from the UK, USA, and Canada comprising 8500 individuals and 37,000 measurements from ages 5–40 years. Recommendations for choosing a modelling approach are provided along with a discussion and signposting on further modelling extensions for analysing trajectory exposures and outcomes, and multiple cohorts. RESULTS: Linear and natural cubic spline LME models and SITAR provided similar summary of the mean bone growth trajectory and growth velocity, and the sex differences in growth patterns. Growth velocity (in grams/year) peaked during adolescence, and peaked earlier in females than males e.g., mean age at peak bone mineral content accrual from multicohort SITAR models was 12.2 years in females and 13.9 years in males. Latent trajectory models (with trajectory shapes estimated using a natural cubic spline) identified up to four subgroups of individuals with distinct trajectories throughout adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: LME models with linear and natural cubic splines, SITAR, and latent trajectory models are useful for describing nonlinear growth trajectories, and these methods can be adapted for other complex traits. Choice of method depends on the research aims, complexity of the trajectory, and available data. Scripts and synthetic datasets are provided for readers to replicate trajectory modelling and visualisation using the R statistical computing software. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12874-022-01542-8