Search

Presented here is a novel engineering degree initiative established at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia. This program embodies emerging trends and prospects in engineering education, aspiring to nurture adept engineers well-prepared for practical application. Furthermore, this paper delves into the application of this program for training the next generation of water engineers, equipping them with indispensable skills to confront novel challenges. The CSU Engineering program incorporates several attributes commonly found in progressive engineering curricula. It places significance on work-based learning and encompasses an extensive 6000-hour industrial work placement. This emphasizes student self-reflection, engineering design, robust academic leadership, the integration of educational innovation and novel tools for scholastic exploration, and comprehensive student assessment. Gaining robust industry support, the CSU Engineering program garners recognition as an exemplar for future education. The adaptability, professionalism, responsibility, and leadership exhibited by CSU cadets are highly regarded by their industrial partners. Feedback highlights the consistent advancement of cadets' soft skills, spanning teamwork, communication, leadership, community engagement, and interpersonal relations. Notably, CSU cadets receive substantial remuneration from their industrial engagements. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, the CSU Engineering program continues to operate seamlessly with minimal disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The alarming rise in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) among the low socioeconomic farming community in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka has been recognized as an emerging public health issue in the country. Methods: This study sought to determine the possible factors associated with the progression and mortality of CKDu. The study utilized a single-center cohort registered in 2003 and followed up until 2009 in a regional clinic in the endemic region, and used a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: We repeatedly found an association between disease progression and hypertension. Men were at higher risk of CKDu than women. A significant proportion of the patients in this cohort were underweight, which emphasized the need for future studies on the nutritional status of these patients. Conclusions: Compared with findings in western countries and other regions of Asia, we identified hypertension as a major risk factor for progression of CKDu in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of dams and other river infrastructures is threatening migratory fish stocks in many parts of the world by greatly reducing river-floodplain connectivity. Fishways are technical tools that can restore river connectivity for migratory fishes, but their effectiveness is often limited by a lack of biological information on their target species, especially in developing countries of South East Asia. We sought to inform the design of a vertical-slot fishway for Myanmar migratory fishes, by using a flume-based vertical-slot fishway to determine if (1) their passage ability is influenced by hydraulic conditions (such as depth and head differential or 'headloss' between cells); and (2) fish size influences passage ability for each species. This was achieved by comparing passage success under headloss options of 50-mm and 100-mm, and by assessing the relationship between size and ability to pass the flume – in four representative migratory species: Pangasius pangasius (pangas catfish), Notopterus notopterus (featherback fish), Puntius chola (swamp barbs) and Esomus danrica (flying barbs). Our results indicated that flume passage ability was greater under the 50-mm headloss for Pangasius pangasius, Notopterus notopterus and Puntius chola ; and that flume passage ability increased in larger individuals for Pangasius pangasius and Notopterus notopterus. In comparison, Esomus danrica could not ascend under either the 50-mm or 100-mm headloss options. The inter-specific variability in these results empirically demonstrates the importance of obtaining baseline biological information on the target species for planned fishways in order to optimise their effectiveness. • There is much inter-species variability in the swimming ability of Myanmar fishes. • Biological information is needed on the target species for planned fishways. • The biological information will ensure Myanmar's fishways are optimally designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]