Technical and Vocational Education and Training Fund in Nepal: Present Practice and Way Forward

In the last few decades, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expanded significantly in Nepal. However, the actors of TVET are uncoordinated and are implementing programmes with fragmented governance. The international experience shows TVET fund is one of the approaches to coordinate fragmented TVET stakeholders and enhance the quality of TVET. In absence of such an integrated TVET fund in Nepal, this paper urges for establishing TVET fund and sketches the possible approaches with reformed TVET structure. For this, first, we reviewed the literature particularly the perceived international practices of implementing TVET fund. Further, we arranged an interaction with TVET stakeholders and collected their views on the establishment of the TVET fund in Nepal. Based on findings of the research, the paper provides five possible models for establishing TVET fund mechanism in Nepal. All the models have their strengths and challenges, so it would be rational to adopt the idea of strengthening existing structure rather than making it stand alone. For this, a developing strong research and innovation, effective implementing body, and independent quality assurance and accreditation system is equally important for its effective implementation.

Interactive Material. Influence of pre-existing structure on pluton emplacement and geomorphology: The Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California, USA

<p></p><p>Figures 2–5, 7–9, and 13 are interactive. For Figures 2–5, 9, and 13, use the radio buttons to toggle between different maps. For Figure 7, use the radio buttons to toggle between age range variations and uncertainties for different samples in each pluton. For Figure 8, use the radio buttons to toggle between zircon trace element compositions of different plutons.</p><p></p>

APPLICATION OF LANDSCAPE-GEOCHEMICAL APPROACH IN THE STUDY OF THE TERRITORY OF THE NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

The article discusses the issues of assessing the ecological condition of agricultural lands in the border territory of the North Kazakhstan region and identifying the necessary measures to optimize the existing structure of land use. The border area under study is located in the zone of dry-steppe and steppe landscapes, among which dry-steppe landscapes of relatively elevated plains predominate.

Reprogramming Versus Subdomain Substitution: An Exploration of Strategies for NRPS Engineering Using the Unique Model System BpsA

<p>Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are large enzymes that generate a plethora of important natural products, from antibiotics to immunosuppressants. These modular enzymes function like an assembly line, selecting and incorporating specific (and frequently nonproteinogenic) amino acids into a growing peptide chain. This modular structure offers promise for re-engineering NRPS units to generate new useful products, but progress has to date been limited by the complex and dynamic nature of key domains, and a failure to define generally applicable “rules” to guide engineering efforts. Early efforts to engineer NRPS enzymes relied on the substitution of entire NRPS modules or domains, but product yields were often very low. However, these studies did highlight the promise of targeting the adenylation domain, the part of each NRPS modules that is responsible for selecting each amino acid substrate. Two particularly promising strategies for NRPS engineering aim to manipulate the adenylation domain in ways that minimise steric disruption to the assembly line. The first of these, reprogramming, makes the fewest possible changes to the NRPS primary sequence, but is dependent on those precise changes conforming to the existing structure of the adenylation domain binding pocket. More recently a second technique has been developed, subdomain substitution, which recombines a larger region of the adenylation domain to avoid perturbation of the binding pocket. The research described in this thesis examined and compared both approaches using the unique NRPS BpsA as a model system. BpsA is a single-module NRPS that generates a vivid blue pigment product, making for a reductionist system that offers a robust visual reporter capacity. Experiments with the reprogramming technique showed that small changes to the protein sequence had potential to exert major impacts on enzyme function, even when no change to function was intended. In contrast, experiments with subdomain substitution were generally more effective, showing that NRPS enzymes are very sensitive to the precise boundaries of the substituted region, but that activity can be restored to otherwise non-functional subdomain substitutions by modulation of the regional boundaries.</p>

Reprogramming Versus Subdomain Substitution: An Exploration of Strategies for NRPS Engineering Using the Unique Model System BpsA

<p>Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are large enzymes that generate a plethora of important natural products, from antibiotics to immunosuppressants. These modular enzymes function like an assembly line, selecting and incorporating specific (and frequently nonproteinogenic) amino acids into a growing peptide chain. This modular structure offers promise for re-engineering NRPS units to generate new useful products, but progress has to date been limited by the complex and dynamic nature of key domains, and a failure to define generally applicable “rules” to guide engineering efforts. Early efforts to engineer NRPS enzymes relied on the substitution of entire NRPS modules or domains, but product yields were often very low. However, these studies did highlight the promise of targeting the adenylation domain, the part of each NRPS modules that is responsible for selecting each amino acid substrate. Two particularly promising strategies for NRPS engineering aim to manipulate the adenylation domain in ways that minimise steric disruption to the assembly line. The first of these, reprogramming, makes the fewest possible changes to the NRPS primary sequence, but is dependent on those precise changes conforming to the existing structure of the adenylation domain binding pocket. More recently a second technique has been developed, subdomain substitution, which recombines a larger region of the adenylation domain to avoid perturbation of the binding pocket. The research described in this thesis examined and compared both approaches using the unique NRPS BpsA as a model system. BpsA is a single-module NRPS that generates a vivid blue pigment product, making for a reductionist system that offers a robust visual reporter capacity. Experiments with the reprogramming technique showed that small changes to the protein sequence had potential to exert major impacts on enzyme function, even when no change to function was intended. In contrast, experiments with subdomain substitution were generally more effective, showing that NRPS enzymes are very sensitive to the precise boundaries of the substituted region, but that activity can be restored to otherwise non-functional subdomain substitutions by modulation of the regional boundaries.</p>

On the issue of the impact of adverse and dangerous natural processes on the use of coastal recreational areas of the Russian Federation

Adverse and dangerous natural processes are a deterrent factor in the economic, in particular, recreational use of the coastal territories of Russia. They significantly reduce their tourist potential. At the same time, a decrease in the recreational value of territories is one of the consequences of human impact on the natural landscapes of the coastal zone. It seems important to consider the impact of adverse and dangerous natural processes specifically for coastal recreational areas due to their exceptional importance for domestic tourism. It, in turn, plays a huge role both for the economy of Russia and certain regions of our country, and for Russians themselves: tourists and local residents. As a result of the research, for each of the seaside recreational areas available in Russia, the study revealed the most characteristic adverse and dangerous natural processes. Some of them are more or less manifested everywhere, for example, abrasion processes or storms. Others, in particular, seismic threat, are characteristic only for certain coastal territories. Measures to counteract dangerous natural processes are also somewhat similar for all the regions considered. However, when developing measures to counteract adverse and dangerous natural processes, the peculiarities of coastal regions should also be taken into account. Such features include climatic and relief characteristics, the landscapes of the region, the existing structure of human activity and the intensity of economic development of the region, the types of tourism that are characteristic of it, and the level of popularity of the region among recreants, as well as its recreational potential.

Resident and Family Engagement in Care Conferences: Important Processes and Supporting Strategies

Self-determination is a core value of person-centered care. Research has shown residents and families want to be involved in decisions about care. Care conferences are one existing structure where residents and families can engage in decision-making about care goals. However, there are few tools to support effective engagement. To inform future tool development, this study sought to understand what resident and family stakeholders value about engaging in care conferences. In virtual meetings, 16 stakeholders identified 3 key areas of engagement: being informed about health/well-being, influencing care goals, and advocating for needs. They indicated current approaches do not achieve these engagement goals, which is particularly problematic during COVID when families cannot engage in person. Stakeholders offered ideas for supporting engagement such as provision of data before the conference. The study has implications for individualizing care conferences and encouraging resident and family engagement in decision-making both during and beyond COVID.

REGIONAL ASPECTS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPHERE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

В статье рассматриваются вопросы образования, имеющие сложную иерархическую структуру, ключевым сегментом которой является высшее образование. В последнее время акцент делается именно на его инновационные составляющие. Эффективное функционирование системы высшего образования выступает стратегической задачей государства на всех уровнях его развития, от решения которой зависят и социальная стабильность, и экономический рост, и, как следствие, повышение конкурентоспособности национальной экономики. Новизной исследования является определенный разрыв между потребностями отраслей экономики, сложившейся структурой специальностей высшего образования и уровнем подготовки специалистов. В этой связи система высшего образования в контексте инновационных тенденций его развития требует особого внимания как со стороны государства, так и со стороны населения и бизнеса. The article deals with education issues that have a complex hierarchical structure, the key segment of which is higher education. Recently, the emphasis has been placed on its innovative components. The effective functioning of the higher education system is a strategic task of the state at all levels of its development, on the solution of which both social stability and economic growth depend, and, as a consequence, an increase in the competitiveness of the national economy. The novelty of the research is a certain gap between the needs of economic sectors, the existing structure of higher education specialties and the level of training of specialists. In this regard, the system of higher education in the context of innovative trends in its development requires special attention from both the state and the population and business.

Forgotten Interiors

<p>Historic buildings play an important role in helping shape and characterise a city’s’ urban fabric. They extend beyond purely the aesthetic by enhancing our urban experience through providing a notion of continuity, and, by forming an enduring connection to our past, present, and future. In many instances, extending a historic building’s life that has fallen into a state of dilapidation, and, saving the rich history in which resides within its walls requires a rehabilitative or adaptive approach. Undertaking this process however, can become challenging when there lies an absence of interior documentation for the site. A clear understanding of the current, forsaken state in which the building’s interior has sunken into cannot therefore be established. The aim of this research is to therefore explore how a rehabilitative approach can be applied to the dilapidated, heritage listed, former Tramway Hotel to rejuvenate its forgotten interiors. By breathing another life into the building’s old bones, it seeks to make it fit for modern purposes once again whilst tangentially retaining the rich history that is housed within its weathered walls. Through the cyclical, reflective, and iterative nature of action research, this research investigates a range of techniques in response to the site’s forgotten interiors. By initially exploring the issue from various avenues, through the cycles of identifying, planning, acting and then critically self-reflecting, the design iterations produced refined in scope to eventuate in the act of strategically inserting, and then shifting newly built elements within the existing structure of the former Tramway Hotel. What was essential throughout the research and was therefore translated into a criterion for the evaluation of each iteration, was the need to add another life to the building, to allow it to persist, to live on without disrupting its historic integrity and character. Through the implementation and direct visual contrast of the newly built elements from historic ones, the developed design response seeks to establish a clear dialogue between the two so that each complements and enhances the other.</p>

Forgotten Interiors

<p>Historic buildings play an important role in helping shape and characterise a city’s’ urban fabric. They extend beyond purely the aesthetic by enhancing our urban experience through providing a notion of continuity, and, by forming an enduring connection to our past, present, and future. In many instances, extending a historic building’s life that has fallen into a state of dilapidation, and, saving the rich history in which resides within its walls requires a rehabilitative or adaptive approach. Undertaking this process however, can become challenging when there lies an absence of interior documentation for the site. A clear understanding of the current, forsaken state in which the building’s interior has sunken into cannot therefore be established. The aim of this research is to therefore explore how a rehabilitative approach can be applied to the dilapidated, heritage listed, former Tramway Hotel to rejuvenate its forgotten interiors. By breathing another life into the building’s old bones, it seeks to make it fit for modern purposes once again whilst tangentially retaining the rich history that is housed within its weathered walls. Through the cyclical, reflective, and iterative nature of action research, this research investigates a range of techniques in response to the site’s forgotten interiors. By initially exploring the issue from various avenues, through the cycles of identifying, planning, acting and then critically self-reflecting, the design iterations produced refined in scope to eventuate in the act of strategically inserting, and then shifting newly built elements within the existing structure of the former Tramway Hotel. What was essential throughout the research and was therefore translated into a criterion for the evaluation of each iteration, was the need to add another life to the building, to allow it to persist, to live on without disrupting its historic integrity and character. Through the implementation and direct visual contrast of the newly built elements from historic ones, the developed design response seeks to establish a clear dialogue between the two so that each complements and enhances the other.</p>