Perspectives of ‘STEM education and policies’ for the development of a skilled workforce in Australia and India

ABSTRACT

In an increasingly competitive world, it has been proved that invention, development, and profusion of new technologies through science and technology are the fundamental source of economic progress. Australia, which is one of the world leaders in education and India, which has the capacity to produce the highest number of young skilled manpower to lead the world, both understand the current situation and have signalled their commitment to restoring the national strategy for STEM education. The proposed study focuses on a comparative understanding of the interplay of inclusive policies, government’s initiatives, knowledge gap from the literature and potential future challenges that Australia and India could face in STEM education at the school level. The question we asked is: what are the important inferences and best practices in STEM education that can be mutually beneficial to broaden the Strategic Partnership? It is identified that the governments of both the countries are determined to utilise the young population to train them as skilled workforce in order to meet the future demand of industries. Australia’s constructivist approach to education and the well-defined system of vocational training outperform India, which is still following the traditional approach. However, Australia has failed to engage students adequately in STEM and needs to revisit the efficacy of the current education model, while India needs to espouse the well-defined Australian framework, which could help to enhance quality infrastructure, curriculum, constructivist teaching and transparent policy implementation. In addition, both the nations must work hard to attract bright students in the teaching profession in order to promote a conducive environment for scientific learning.     

Diagnostic Value of PCR in Genitourinary Tuberculosis

Genitourinary tuberculosis is a disease of the genitourinary system which includes the entire urinary tract and reproductive system. Genital tuberculosis is an important cause of female infertility, especially in developing nations like India. In the present study, a total of 257 clinical specimens comprising of endometrial biopsy (109), endometrial curetting (42), menstrual blood (8), semen (17), placenta (11) and urine (70) were collected from patients and subjected for PCR, Culture and AFB detection. The endometrial biopsy, endometrial curetting, menstrual blood, semen, placenta, urine showed 30.2, 45.2,12.5, 5.8, 27.2, 31.4 %, positivity rate for tuberculosis by PCR, 7.3, 9.5, 25.0, 0, 9, 8.5 % by culture and 1.8, 2.3, 0, 0, 0, 2.8 % respectively by AFB smear. Being a novel, rapid technique, PCR is the method of choice for rapid diagnosis and management of genitourinary tuberculosis shared with the other concerned tests. This study reveals that genital tuberculosis can occur in any age group, however, the majority of patients were from reproductive age (nearly 75 % of them were from 20–45 years of age) group.     

Effect of Growth Hormone on Plasminogen Activator and Inhibitor Activity in Rat

Growth retardation is one of the significant changes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Disturbances in growth hormone (GH) are held responsible for several complications in CKD. GH is a protein based peptide hormone which directly or indirectly regulates renal functions to ensure homeostasis. We investigated the effects of growth hormone on plasminogen activators (PA) in rat kidney, PA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), glucose and fibrinogen in plasma and serum lipid profile. Rats were injected daily with 250 mU GH kg-1 body weight subcutaneously for one week. Growth hormone treatment increased PA activity significantly in rat kidneys as compared to controls. No changes were seen in PA, PAI and fibrinogen levels in the plasma of two groups of rats. There was significant decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in serum of treated group resulting in the decrease of HDL/LDL and total cholesterol/cholesterol ratios. However, triglycerides and VLDL showed significant higher activity in the serum of treated group as compared to controls. Our data suggests that GH administration might improve renal function by increasing PA activity in kidney as well as by reducing the cholesterol content in blood. GH may be effective in improving growth failure as it helps to maintain the normal homeostatic balance.     

Studies on the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita -wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum disease complex of green gram, Vigna radiata cv ML-1108

Studies were conducted under pot conditions to determine the comparative efficacy of carbofuran at 1 mg a.i./kg soil, bavistin at 1 mg a.i./kg soil, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed powder at 50 mg/kg soil, green mould (Trichoderma harzianum) at 50.0 ml/kg soil, rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) at 50.0 ml/kg soil against root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita-wilt fungus,Fusarium oxysporum disease complex on green gram,Vigna radiata cv ML-1108. All the treatments significantly improved the growth of the plants as compared to untreated inoculated plants. Analysis of data showed that carbofuran andA. indica seed powder increased plant growth and yield significantly more in comparison to bavistin andP. fluorescens. Carbofuran was highly effective against nematode, bavistin against fungus,A. indica seed powder against both the pathogens and both the bioagents were moderately effective against both the pathogens.     

Neural network approach to predict mobile learning acceptance

The proliferation of mobile computing technologies is playing major role in the growth of mobile learning (M-learning) market around the globe. The purpose of this paper is to develop a research model in the lines of commonly used models the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating constructs namely flexibility learning, social learning, efficiency learning, enjoyment learning, suitability learning, and economic learning that can predict M-learning adoption in a developing country. The data were collected from 388 students from all major universities/colleges in the capital city (Muscat) of Oman. The neural network modeling was employed to predict M-learning adoption. The neural network modeling results showed that flexibility learning, social learning, efficiency learning, enjoyment learning, suitability learning, and economic learning variables have significant influence on the intention of students to accept mobile learning. The key outcomes of this study suggest important determinants that can assist academic administrators and telecommunication service providers to enhance the adoption of M-learning with the help of suitable strategy.     

A biologically active constituent of withania somnifera (ashwagandha) with antistress activity

In Ayurvedic medicine,Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is well known for its anti-stress activity. A passive rat experimental model, where the animals are subjected to multiple stress of cold, hypoxia, restraint (C-H-R) has been developed to evaluate adaptogenic properties of various fractions of W. somnifera root extracts. We have carried out extraction of roots of W. somnifera with water and further isolated one of the active constituents called compound X and also tested its anti-stress activity in C-H-R model. The effect of administration of W. somnifera water suspension (360 mg/Kg bw) and compound X (20mg/Kg bw) on the fall and recovery of colonic temperature was noted. There was an increase of ≈38% and ≈54% in the time taken to attain T_rec 23°C by rats given a single dose of fresh aqueous suspension and biologically active constituent (Compound X) respectively, where as decrease in the recovery time to attain T_rec 37°C is ≈13% and ≈33% respectively, as compared to control group. It is clear that rats treated with the fresh aqueous suspension and compound X ofWithania somnifera, could withstand the multiple stress of C-H-R better than control group.     

Studies of biochemical parameters in breast cancer with and without metastasis

The study includes 102 confirmed cases of carcinoma breast with and without metastasis and 25 healthy non-pregnant females. They were evaluated for blood levels of Ferritin, GSH, LDH, ALP, GGT and Hb before and 21 days after mastectomy. A significant increase (p<0.001) was observed in ferritin, LDH and GSH levels in cancer patients without metastasis in comparison to normal control subjects. Patients with metastasis had further elevated (p<0.001) levels of Ferritin, ALP and GGT as compared to non-metastatic patients. Mastectomy in both the cases i.e. with and without metastasis resulted in non-significant decrease in all the biochemical parameters suggesting that longer follow up could confirm post surgery decrease in the biochemical parameters. The results of the study suggest cost effective, usefulness of Ferritin, ALP, GGT and GSH/Hb ratio in differentiating breast cancer patients with and without metastasis which can be assayed in smaller laboratories.     

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum-clinical and biochemical profile in a tertiary care hospital of Delhi

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum is the most common of the xanthomas with asymptomatic, symmetrical, bilateral, soft, yellow, velvety, polygonal papules around the eyelids. Xanthelasmas may be associated with hyperlipidemia. This prospective study included 66 clinically diagnosed patients with Xanthelasma Palpebrarum and 50 controls with non-inflammatory skin disorders. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL estimated in all cases indicated that patients with Xanthelasma Palpebrarum have underlying lipid abnormalities.