bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on Effective Student Support for Indigenous Students in a Tertiary Institution
Authors: Foley Dennis
Published: August 2016

In 1994 I was employed as a consultant in the Office of HRM working on a DEET (Department of Employment Education and Training) funded project in the compilation of an Indigenous employment strategy which resulted in the development of the university ‘Recruitment and Career Development Strategy for Indigenous Australians’.
Technological Communities of Learning: A Model for the Use of New Information Technologies by Indigenous Students
Authors: Yelland Nicola , Gilbert Keith , White Nereda , Smith Jacki
Published: August 2016

This project was designed to enhance the academic success and profiles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) through increased proficiency and awareness of computer technology. The program attempted to establish a community of practice with technology, that focused on teaching and mentoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by supporting their use of computer technology. Prior to this project, there was no sound base of support for encouraging the use of technology with this group of students in the university and thus they were reluctant and apprehensive about its use in their studies.

Initially, we focused on the development of the students' proficiency in word processing so that they could apply their newly learned skills directly to their coursework and assessment in the specific degree that they were studying. Secondly, we introduced the students to the Internet and finally we assisted them with the location of information in the Library and from other sources. Consequently, the key notions of the project related primarily to improving the students' skills in writing, communications, and searching and accessing information.
Aboriginal Education and Culture: The Parting of the Waters?
Authors: Meyer Alan
Published: August 2016

This paper looks at the issue of culture and identity formation in the context of Aboriginal education. The paper provides a brief overview of traditional understandings of the word ‘culture’ before it examines current notions and the ways those understandings impact on the formation of identity. The paper concludes with a look at some of the implications of such understandings for the policy and practice of Aboriginal education.

But everyone needs a home so at least you can have some place to leave which is where most folks will say you must be coming from (June Jordan, 1985 cited in Rutherford, 1990:14).
Becoming Expert in the World of Experts: Factors Affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation and Career Path Development in Australian Universities
Authors: Smith Arthur
Published: August 2016

In the recent history of Australia Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have only had widespread access to a university education for approximately 20 years. Before this, Indigenous graduates from Australian universities were relatively few. Universities were seen as complex, often alien places in Indigenous cultural terms; institutions of European Australian social empowerment and credentialling from which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students were virtually excluded.
Aboriginal Student Empowerment through the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the University of New England
Authors: le Roux Johann , Dunn Myra J.
Published: August 2016

Our position still seems to me to be a somewhat uncertain one. There is a national ambivalence towards us. Numerically we are not very strong — just 1.6 per cent of the population; 265,000 people as counted at the 1991 Census. It could be said, however, that we get more than our share of this nation's attention. There are good and bad aspects to this. In the popular imagination, there are two basic images of Indigenous Australians: one I would term a ‘cultural’ image, that accepts us for our uniqueness, our ‘Australianness’; the other image is the ramshackle world of poverty, deprivation and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the most disadvantaged group in the country. Whatever social indicator you use — health status, education, employment, contact with the law — we are at the bottom of the heap. This is such a commonplace statement of fact that it is in danger of becoming a piece of empty rhetoric.

These are the views on the current position of Aboriginal disempowerment in Australian society, expressed by Lois O'Donoghue (1995: 5).
Interactions Across the Generations — Australia: Learning from Elders
Authors: Dobson Veronica , Riley Rosalie , McCormack Jeanette , Hartman Debbie
Published: August 2016

This article is based on an interview conducted with four of the central figures in the development and operation of the Arrernte Early Childhood Project. The project works with Aboriginal families in the centre of Australia and is developing culturally appropriate curricula for children aged from three to six years, in the Arrernte language.

The project stresses the need to involve grandparents, aunts, uncles and elders in the development of curricula so that the Arrernte culture can stay alive alongside other Australian cultures.
Introduction: Issues in North Queensland Indigenous Education
Authors: Shnukal Anna
Published: August 2016

There is virtually no disagreement among educational
practitioners, theorists and policy makers on the outcomes
they seek for Indigenous students. Their ultimate goal is
to maximise the future life choices of the upcoming
generation of students in an increasingly globalised world.
Balancing mainstream curriculum with Indigenous community
cultural knowledge, awareness and protocol is a difficult
and, finally an individual matter to be negotiated between
the school, each member of its student body and the home
community. It is a task which has become increasingly
urgent. Queensland - and Australia - can no longer afford
the incalculable waste of intellectual and cultural capital
and the dilution of participatory democracy which resulted
from the pre-1980s requirement that Indigenous people be
instructed only in basic literacy and numeracy. As Martin
Nakata writes in this issue, "English literacy and
understanding the world beyond our communities, beyond our
local and cultural context, is as critically important for
our future survival as understanding our traditional
pathways. Anything that diverts us from the urgency of
achieving educational success for future generations should
be avoided." Nevertheless, while everyone agrees on the
ultimate goal and its urgency, the policies and practices
by which the goal is best achieved are, quite properly, a
matter of contestation.
Meeting Teachers’ Needs: Reaching Literacy Through Grammar in Indigenous Schools
Authors: Shopen Glenda , Hickey Ruth
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Many teachers and teaching assistants report that they
lack an understanding of Standard Australian English
grammar and that this hinders their work with Indigenous
students who are learning English as a second language.
This paper reports on the success of an accredited
professional development strategy in Far North Queensland.
This strategy is not based on out-of-context grammar
lessons but promotes the idea that grammar is best learnt
in communicative and collaborative classrooms which value
fun and visual performance. The grammar activities are also
embedded in current strategies for the teaching of
literacy. This kind of professional development can
reinvigorate teachers’ practices in order to increase
literacy outcomes in Indigenous schools.
Aboriginal Knowledge Traditions in Digital Environments
Authors: Christie Michael
Published: August 2016

Abstract
According to Manovich (2001), the database and the
narrative are natural enemies, each competing for the same
territory of human culture. Aboriginal knowledge traditions
depend upon narrative through storytelling and other shared
performances. The database objectifies and commodifies
distillations of such performances and absorbs them into
data structures according to a priori assumptions of
metadata; that is the data which describes the data to aid
a search. In a conventional library for example, the
metadata which helps you find a book may be title, author
or topic. It is misleading and dangerous to say that these
databases contain knowledge, because we lose sight of the
embedded, situated, collaborative and performative nature
of knowledge. For the assemblages of digital artefacts we
find in an archive or database to be useful in the
intergenerational transmission of living knowledge
traditions, we need to rethink knowledge as performance and
data as artefacts of prior knowledge production episodes.
Through the metaphors of environment and journey we can
explore ways to refigure the archive as a digital
environment available as a resource to support the work of
active, creative and collaborative knowledge
production.
Centring Aboriginal Worldviews in Social Work Education
Authors: Baskin Cyndy
Published: August 2016

Abstract As Aboriginal peoples gain more access to schools of social work, the academy needs to respond to their educational needs. This involves incorporating Aboriginal worldviews and research methodologies into social work education. This paper focuses on one definition of worldviews according to Aboriginal epistemology and implements an anti-colonial discursive framework in its analysis of education. It also critiques both the role of social work in the lives of Aboriginal peoples and the goals of social work education. Through the findings of a recent research project with Aboriginal social work students in Ontario, Canada, it raises key components that need to be addressed in the academy and provides ways in which this can be achieved. The overall theme flowing through this paper is that of decolonisation whereby reclamation of the belief that all peoples of the world have much to offer one another and life is a reciprocal process comes to the surface. In addition, the paper stresses the importance of this content being taught to all social work students and its relevance to all areas of Indigenous humanities.
A Motivational Psychology for the Education of Indigenous Australian Students
Authors: Martin Andrew J.
Published: August 2016

Abstract
This article explores an integrative framework for a
motivational psychology for the education of Indigenous
students. Drawing on and adapting Graham’s (1994) taxonomy
for motivational psychology, it is suggested that enhancing
the educational outcomes of Indigenous students involves
addressing factors relevant to the self (positive identity,
academic self-concept, and academic resilience), cognitive
and affective factors (that facilitate motivation,
engagement, achievement, and enjoyment of school),
socialisation and child-rearing antecedents (the role of
the family), failure dynamics (fear of failure and shame),
the role of significant others and their contexts (peers,
community, teachers, schools, and the scope for pastoral
pedagogy), and the issue of young people’s pathways and
transitions. Values, attitudes, and approaches to school
and schoolwork that are common across Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal students and the role of positive psychology
are also explored as a means of contributing to a better
general understanding of human behaviour.
Re-Reading Representations of Indigenality in Australian Children’s Literature: a History
Authors: Collins-Gearing Brooke
Published: August 2016

Abstract Australian children’s literature has a history of excluding Indigenous child readers and positioning non-Indigenous readers as the subject. Rather than portray such literature, particularly before the 1950s, as simply racist or stereotypical, I argue that it is important for teachers, of all students, to help readers understand how nationalist or white Australian myths were constructed on Indigenous land and knowledges.
Big Worry: Implications of Anxiety in Indigenous Youth
Authors: Adermann Jenny , Campbell Marilyn
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Excessive anxiety and worry can prevent young people
from participating fully in school and life opportunities.
Anxiety can involve fear of being apart from significant
people or being left alone; avoidance of certain situations
or activities for fear of embarrassment; worrying about
normal life issues; repetitive thoughts and behaviours used
as protection against something bad happening; or panic
attacks and fears of recurring attacks and their effects.
It has been shown that unusual behaviours such as
obsessional activities, the need for reassurance, low
self-esteem, poor concentration, fatigue, headaches,
stomach aches and other reactions from excessive anxiety
can hinder a child's academic success at school and affect
their social relationships. Furthermore, anxiety is linked
to depression that, in some cases, leads to suicide. This
is significant for Indigenous youth as suicide rates in
this group are significantly higher than the Australian
national average.
Not only are there difficulties in the ethical and
practical aspects of conducting research with Indigenous
youth, mere are also difficulties in assessing mental heakh
and anxiety, in particular, with mis group. Nevertheless,
it is important to gain a sense of Indigenous understanding
about what is constructed as mental health, “wellness” and
excessive anxiety and how we come to a shared understanding
of these concepts so that meaningful research into areas
such as anxiety can be conducted.
Testing the Social Justice Goals of Education: a Role for Anti-Discrimination Law
Authors: De Plevitz Loretta
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Policy documents on Indigenous education include
statements such as equitable access to education,
participation and outcomes that can be broadly described as
social justice goals. However, there has been little
academic analysis of how these goals are to be achieved.
This paper proposes that the indirect discrimination
provisions in Australian anti-discrimination law can
provide a framework in which the goals can be evaluated
against the endemic effects of dominant power on mainstream
education. The legal provisions are designed to assess
whether a policy or practice might adversely affect certain
groups in our society distinguished by, for example, their
“race”. If a higher proportion of persons who do not have
that particular attribute can comply with the policy or
practice, and the demand is unreasonable in the
circumstances, then this will constitute unlawful indirect
discrimination. This paper analyses three social justice
strategies which appear to be race-neutral and to apply
equally to all students, Indigenous and non-Indigenous:
Indigenous studies in the curriculum, using Standard
English in the classroom, and instilling Australian values.
The outcome suggests that these approaches may have an
adverse impact on Indigenous students, and may even be
undermining the social justice goals they set out to
deliver.
Parables in Language Maintenance
Authors: Harris Stephen
Published: August 2016

The maintenance, or in some cases revival, of Aboriginal languages has become an important issue to Aboriginal people, and should be an important issue in Aboriginal schools if local people show concern about it. There is good reason for this concern. Predictions vary among linguists about how vulnerable Aboriginal languages are. There are about fifty Aboriginal languages spoken today. One informed estimate is that by the year 2000 a dozen of these will still be naturally reproducing themselves, that is, still spoken spontaneously by young children. Another informed estimate is that by that time only about three languages will be vigorous and spoken by children. These three are the related Yolngu languages in North East Arnhem Land, the related Western Desert languages of which Pitjantjatjara is the best known, and Kriol which is a new Aboriginal language and the largest, and growing rapidly.

Our assumption that there is a best way to go about language maintenance is not supported by a well established theory that can be applied in all contexts. Even though a good deal is known about language shift there is not agreement among linguists about what causes it in different situations. For example, it is assumed that isolation would help Aboriginal languages to stay strong, and that closeness to a large town would cause an Aboriginal language to weaken under pressure from English. But linguists have pointed out that some really isolated Aboriginal communities seem to be losing their language and that the language of some groups living near towns is staying stronger. It has also been assumed that if a community has one dominant Aboriginal language then it will remain stronger than those languages in a community where there are a number of different languages in use. Again linguists have observed that that is not always the case.
Bilingual Programs with Special Reference to the Northern Territory
Authors: Lasorsa Tricia
Published: August 2016

The main focus of this analysis will be on three programs, in particular Milingimbi, Bamyili and Yuendumu.

J. Harris and J. Sandefur (1984) define bilingual education as “the use of two languages in a well organised program”. The NT Department of Education’s Bilingual Education leaflet (1987) extends this definition to include the qualifications –

the use of two languages, one of which is English, as mediums of instruction for the same pupil population in a well organised program which encompasses part or all of the curriculum and includes the study of the history and culture associated with the mother tongue.
The Aboriginal and Islander Student in the Classroom
Authors: Phillips Virginia
Published: August 2016

Most secondary teachers in Queensland will encounter Aboriginal and Islander students in the classroom at some time or other, and most teachers will have no experience or training to prepare them to meet the special needs of the indigenous students. Aboriginal and Islander students are, indeed, different from mainstream (or Anglo-Celtic) Australian students in their learning characteristics, their social or cultural backgrounds, existing educational disadvantagement and experience of prejudice, and their use of forms of English other than Standard Australian English (SAE). To say that all students are equal and should be treated the same way is to deny these important differences and impede the learning of Aboriginal and Islander students in the mainstream classroom.

Two features of Aboriginal and Islander learning styles about which classroom teachers need to be aware are field sensitivity and external locus of control. Students described as “field sensitive” (or field dependent) are influenced by context and develop cognitive styles related to a global, or whole, approach to thinking. The introduction to learning new material, therefore, needs to take this learning style into account, if Aboriginal and Islander students are to cope with learning in a culture which is not their own. The introduction needs to be global in its approach, to enable these students to apply it to their existing knowledge. (Tutor leaflet, n.d.) Field dependent behaviours exhibited by indigenous students, according to a leaflet issued to tutors working with Aboriginal and Islander students in Townsville, include a preference for group type, co-operative learning tasks and a sensitivity to the feelings and opinions of peers, rather than an individual, competitive learning style. There is also a tendency to relate to the teacher/tutor at a highly personal level.
The Impact of Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAS) in New South Wales Public Schools
Authors: Scott Wayne
Published: August 2016

A considerable amount of research attests to the difficulties experienced by Aboriginal students in the school system of New South Wales. Coker (1981) states that Aboriginal students more than any other identificable group in Australia score consistently lower in basic skills tests involving reading, writing and mathematics. McConnochie (1973) suggests that the failure of Aboriginal students at school is primarily the fault of the school system and not the student. Institutions tend to debase the student’s self-concept and the group with whom they identify. This process contributed to the students’ low self-esteem and further contributed to low vocational aspirations and academic achievement.
An Analysis of the Aboriginal Education Policy Documents of Queensland
Authors: Lasorsa Tricia
Published: August 2016

The analysis examines how the documents approach – if at all – several different aspects of Aboriginal education as expressed in particular by Aboriginal women, the traditional educators of Aboriginal children (Gale, 1983). These aspects include:-

– Aboriginal Learning Styles

– Parental and Community Involvement

– The Child as an Individual

– Teaching Staff – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

– Curriculum Content – Aboriginal History; Aboriginal Studies (general); Integration into Other Subjects: and Relevance of Content

– Research-based Teaching

– Languages

– Racism

Misinterpretation of Basic Aboriginal Philosophies

– Resources
Study of Beliefs about Aborigines
Authors: Mueller W.S. , Bishop B.J.
Published: August 2016

In June 1973 a proposal for a study of the beliefs of metropolitan (Perth) Caucasian children and adults towards Aborigines was submitted by the Western Australian Institute of Technology to the then Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority. The proposal was forwarded to D.A.A. in Canberra, was approved, and preliminary work on a pilot study commenced in February 1974. The survey continued through the year and the results were analysed. A final two-volume report was presented to the Department in January 1975.
Parents as Para-Professionals in the Haarlem Pre-School Project
Authors: Elbers Peter
Published: August 2016

The origins of this project stemmed from the convictions of a group of parents who believed on the importance of pre-school education and parental involvement in it for the future school careers of their children. This way have been long accepted by some sections of the community who have made the effort to provide a stimulating enviroment for their young children, but it is by no means as common a view amoung working class people who may have had little eductaion themselves. The levels of wages, the time available, the cultural patterns of the family, thier own school experience and expectations for their children are all important factors in determining pople’s attitudes towards pre-schooling.
The Success of Cherbourg State School’s Program for Aboriginal Students
Authors: Guthrie Gerard
Published: August 2016

Teachers often become very despondent about their job. One reason for this is because all too often they are made aware of their failures rather than their successes. In this article I am very pleased to be able to report on the success of Cherbourg State School. Although Queensland reserves are not noticeable for creating hope, one of the bright lights at Cherbourg is education.
Transgenerational transmission of pregestational and prenatal experience: maternal adversity, enrichment, and underlying epigenetic and environmental mechanisms
Authors: Taouk L. , Schulkin J.
Published: August 2016

Transgenerational transmission refers to positive and negative adaptations in brain function and behavior that affect following generations. In this paper, empirical findings regarding the transgenerational transmission of maternal adversity during three critical periods – childhood, pregestational adulthood and pregnancy – will be reviewed in terms of pregnancy outcomes, maternal care, offspring behavior and development, and physiological functioning. Research on the transgenerational transmission of enrichment and the implications for interventions to ameliorate the consequences of adversity will also be presented. In the final section, underlying epigenetic and environmental mechanisms that have been proposed to explain how experience is transferred across generations through transgenerational transmission will be reviewed. Directions for future research are suggested throughout.
The Factorial Structure of a 15-Item Version of the Italian Empathy	Quotient Scale
Authors: Paolo Senese Vincenzo , De Nicola Annunziata , Passaro Anna , Ruggiero Gennaro
Published: August 2016

Abstract. The Empathy Quotient (EQ) scale is a self-report measure designed to assess empathy in adults. Although the scale is widely used and has been validated into different languages, its dimensionality is still controversial, as well as it is not clear which scale version should be considered. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the EQ scale. The Italian version of the EQ scale was administered to a sample of 633 adults. Results showed that the 15-item EQ scale version proposed by Muncer and Ling (2006) had excellent reliability and validity indices, with a gender invariant three-factor structure (Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Reactivity, and Social Skills) and a higher order factor of general empathy. The overall results confirmed that the 15-item EQ scale is an eligible and stable tool for the assessment of empathy.
Chromatin remodelling and antisense-mediated up-regulation of the developmental switch gene eud-1 control predatory feeding plasticity
Authors: Serobyan Vahan , Xiao Hua , Namdeo Suryesh , Rödelsperger Christian , Sieriebriennikov Bogdan , Witte Hanh , Röseler Waltraud , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: August 2016

Phenotypic plasticity has been suggested to act through developmental switches, but little is known about associated molecular mechanisms. In the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, the sulfatase eud-1 was identified as part of a developmental switch controlling mouth-form plasticity governing a predatory versus bacteriovorous mouth-form decision. Here we show that mutations in the conserved histone-acetyltransferase Ppa-lsy-12 and the methyl-binding-protein Ppa-mbd-2 mimic the eud-1 phenotype, resulting in the absence of one mouth-form. Mutations in both genes cause histone modification defects and reduced eud-1 expression. Surprisingly, Ppa-lsy-12 mutants also result in the down-regulation of an antisense-eud-1 RNA. eud-1 and antisense-eud-1 are co-expressed and further experiments suggest that antisense-eud-1 acts through eud-1 itself. Indeed, overexpression of the antisense-eud-1 RNA increases the eud-1-sensitive mouth-form and extends eud-1 expression. In contrast, this effect is absent in eud-1 mutants indicating that antisense-eud-1 positively regulates eud-1. Thus, chromatin remodelling and antisense-mediated up-regulation of eud-1 control feeding plasticity in Pristionchus.
Resilience of the Asian atmospheric circulation shown by Paleogene dust provenance
Authors: Licht A. , Dupont-Nivet G. , Pullen A. , Kapp P. , Abels H. A. , Lai Z. , Guo Z. , Abell J. , Giesler D.
Published: August 2016

The onset of modern central Asian atmospheric circulation is traditionally linked to the interplay of surface uplift of the Mongolian and Tibetan-Himalayan orogens, retreat of the Paratethys sea from central Asia and Cenozoic global cooling. Although the role of these players has not yet been unravelled, the vast dust deposits of central China support the presence of arid conditions and modern atmospheric pathways for the last 25 million years (Myr). Here, we present provenance data from older (42–33 Myr) dust deposits, at a time when the Tibetan Plateau was less developed, the Paratethys sea still present in central Asia and atmospheric pCO2 much higher. Our results show that dust sources and near-surface atmospheric circulation have changed little since at least 42 Myr. Our findings indicate that the locus of central Asian high pressures and concurrent aridity is a resilient feature only modulated by mountain building, global cooling and sea retreat.
A Hidden Portrait by Edgar Degas
Authors: Thurrowgood David , Paterson David , de Jonge Martin D. , Kirkham Robin , Thurrowgood Saul , Howard Daryl L.
Published: August 2016

The preservation and understanding of cultural heritage depends increasingly on in-depth chemical studies. Rapid technological advances are forging connections between scientists and arts communities, enabling revolutionary new techniques for non-invasive technical study of culturally significant, highly prized artworks. We have applied a non-invasive, rapid, high definition X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental mapping technique to a French Impressionist painting using a synchrotron radiation source, and show how this technology can advance scholarly art interpretation and preservation. We have obtained detailed technical understanding of a painting which could not be resolved by conventional techniques. Here we show 31.6 megapixel scanning XRF derived elemental maps and report a novel image processing methodology utilising these maps to produce a false colour representation of a “hidden” portrait by Edgar Degas. This work provides a cohesive methodology for both imaging and understanding the chemical composition of artworks, and enables scholarly understandings of cultural heritage, many of which have eluded conventional technologies. We anticipate that the outcome from this work will encourage the reassessment of some of the world’s great art treasures.
One-Step Synthesis of Microporous Carbon Monoliths Derived from Biomass with High Nitrogen Doping Content for Highly Selective CO2 Capture
Authors: Geng Zhen , Xiao Qiangfeng , Lv Hong , Li Bing , Wu Haobin , Lu Yunfeng , Zhang Cunman
Published: August 2016

The one-step synthesis method of nitrogen doped microporous carbon monoliths derived from biomass with high-efficiency is developed using a novel ammonia (NH3)-assisted activation process, where NH3 serves as both activating agent and nitrogen source. Both pore forming and nitrogen doping simultaneously proceed during the process, obviously superior to conventional chemical activation. The as-prepared nitrogen-doped active carbons exhibit rich micropores with high surface area and high nitrogen content. Synergetic effects of its high surface area, microporous structure and high nitrogen content, especially rich nitrogen-containing groups for effective CO2 capture (i.e., phenyl amine and pyridine-nitrogen) lead to superior CO2/N2 selectivity up to 82, which is the highest among known nanoporous carbons. In addition, the resulting nitrogen-doped active carbons can be easily regenerated under mild conditions. Considering the outstanding CO2 capture performance, low production cost, simple synthesis procedure and easy scalability, the resulting nitrogen-doped microporous carbon monoliths are promising candidates for selective capture of CO2 in industrial applications.
New Volleyballenes: Y20C60 and La20C60
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Ying
Published: August 2016

Two new stable Volleyballenes, the Y20C60 and La20C60 molecular clusters, are proposed on the basis of first-principles density functional theory. In conjunction with recent findings for the scandium system, these findings establish Volleyballene M20C60 molecules as a general class of stable molecules within the fullerene family. Both Y20C60 and La20C60 molecules have Th point group symmetries and relatively large HOMO-LUMO gaps.
Macrophage polarization in experimental and clinical choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Yang Yu , Liu Fang , Tang Miao , Yuan Miner , Hu Andina , Zhan Zongyi , Li Zijing , Li Jiaqing , Ding Xiaoyan , Lu Lin
Published: August 2016

Macrophages play an important role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, the spatial and temporal changes and the polarization of macrophages in murine laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were investigated and the polarized M1 and M2 biomarkers in the aqueous humors of neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients were studied. Macrophages, the main infiltrating inflammatory cells in CNV lesions, were evidenced by a significant increase in F4/80 mRNA expression and by the infiltration of F4/80+ cells in the lesions and the vicinity of laser-induced CNV. The mRNA expressions of M1-related markers were dramatically upregulated in the early stage, while the M2-related markers were slightly upregulated in the middle stage and sustained until the late stage. The results of immunostaining showed a similar early-but-transient M1 pattern and a delayed-but-sustained M2 pattern in laser-induced CNV. In addition, a higher M2/M1 ratio was found in both the murine models (Arg-1/iNOS and CCL22/CXCL10) and the aqueous humors of nAMD patients (CCL22/CXCL10) than in the controls. Our results suggested that the dynamic patterns of M1 and M2 were different in both the experimental and clinical CNV. The M2 macrophages were predominant and may play a more important role in the development of CNV.
The causal relevance of body mass index in different histological types of lung cancer: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Carreras-Torres Robert , Haycock Philip C. , Relton Caroline L. , Martin Richard M. , Smith George Davey , Kraft Peter , Gao Chi , Tworoger Shelley , Le Marchand Loïc , Wilkens Lynne R. , Park Sungshim L. , Haiman Christopher , Field John K. , Davies Michael , Marcus Michael , Liu Geoffrey , Caporaso Neil E. , Christiani David C. , Wei Yongyue , Chen Chu , Doherty Jennifer A. , Severi Gianluca , Goodman Gary E. , Hung Rayjean J. , Amos Christopher I. , McKay James , Johansson Mattias , Brennan Paul
Published: August 2016

Body mass index (BMI) is inversely associated with lung cancer risk in observational studies, even though it increases the risk of several other cancers, which could indicate confounding by tobacco smoking or reverse causality. We used the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to circumvent these limitations of observational epidemiology by constructing a genetic instrument for BMI, based on results from the GIANT consortium, which was evaluated in relation to lung cancer risk using GWAS results on 16,572 lung cancer cases and 21,480 controls. Results were stratified by histological subtype, smoking status and sex. An increase of one standard deviation (SD) in BMI (4.65 Kg/m2) raised the risk for lung cancer overall (OR = 1.13; P = 0.10). This was driven by associations with squamous cell (SQ) carcinoma (OR = 1.45; P = 1.2 × 10−3) and small cell (SC) carcinoma (OR = 1.81; P = 0.01). An inverse trend was seen for adenocarcinoma (AD) (OR = 0.82; P = 0.06). In stratified analyses, a 1 SD increase in BMI was inversely associated with overall lung cancer in never smokers (OR = 0.50; P = 0.02). These results indicate that higher BMI may increase the risk of certain types of lung cancer, in particular SQ and SC carcinoma.
Small Molecule Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Widmer Johannes , Körner Christian , Leo Karl
Published: August 2016

In this chapter, we review recent progress in small-molecule organic solar cells. First, we introduce the p-i-n-structure which is realized by combining the intrinsic absorber zone with doped transport layers. The doping of the transport layers is realized by mixing the host transport material with dopant molecules which lead to charge transfer in the ground state, thus creating free carriers. Such doped layers offer a number of advantages when used in organic solar cells: they improve the built-in field, allow easy optimization of thin-film optics and thus absorption in the photovoltaically active layers, and lead to good ohmic contacts even when the work function of the electrodes does not fit well to the adjacent organic transport materials. The materials systems used for doped layers and their influence on the built-in field are discussed in detail. We then discuss various absorber materials leading to improved solar cell parameters and overall efficiencies. Among the many potential materials classes for small-molecule organic solar cells, thiophene derivatives have shown excellent properties. By variations of the electronic core and the alkyl side groups, it is possible to independently study the influence of the electronic levels of the molecule and the crystal packing. By photo-induced absorption, we study the exciton separation as a function of orbital energies and temperature. Finally, we discuss optimized cells. The p-i-n concept allows to easily stack cells on top of each other to realize multi-junction organic solar cells. The key challenges here are current matching and optical design optimization. Combining all technologies, efficiencies of 12% have been reached.
Modeling Organic Solar Cells: What are the Challenges Ahead?
Authors: Cornil Jérôme , Castet Frédéric , Beljonne David
Published: August 2016

The physics of organic solar cells is still being extensively investigated. While important questions regarding e.g. the mechanisms of exciton dissociation have been rather convincingly addressed highlighting the role of electrostatic (here emphasized) but also delocalization and entropy effects in pulling apart the charge carriers, much less is known on the molecular origin for the losses in the open circuit voltage in organic photovoltaics, although this is the main culprit for the reduced power efficiencies of these devices. Here, we review some of our own work on the energetics of charge transfer (CT) states at organic heterojunctions and discuss some of the challenges ahead of us, which call for multiscale theoretical models that account for, in a quantitative manner, the fate of CT states including the kinetics of charge separation and recombination events.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations and their Application to Thin-film Devices
Authors: Roscioni Otello Maria , Zannoni Claudio
Published: August 2016

The performance of devices based on organic semiconductors strongly depends on the molecular organisation in thin films. Due to the intrinsic complexity of these systems, a combination of theoretical modelling and experimental techniques is often the key to achieve a full understanding of their inner working. Here, we introduce the modelling of organic semiconductors by means of molecular dynamics simulations. We describe the basic theoretical framework of the technique and review the most popular class of force fields used to model organic materials, paying particular attention to the peculiarities of confined systems like nano-thick films. Representative studies of the organisation of organic functional materials in thin film phases are also reviewed.
Continuum-limit Modelling of Structure Evolution in Active Blends for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Michels Jasper J. , Schaefer Charley
Published: August 2016

This chapter focuses on modelling the spinodal decomposition of solution processed polymer:PCBM blends under evaporative conditions. This mode of phase separation has been experimentally observed for a wide range of polymer:PCBM blends, especially in the absence of co-solvents. Dry-film morphologies characteristically comprise droplet-shaped PCBM-rich domains dispersed in a matrix of predominantly polymer. The modelling approach is based on a drastically coarse-grained treatment, involving solute and solvent concentrations as field-based order parameters. Structure evolution is driven by the minimization of a Flory–Huggins–Cahn–Hilliard-type free energy functional including local and non-local contributions. The model considers purely diffusive transport, either based on slow- or fast-mode dynamics. Solvent evaporation drives isothermal destabilization of the liquid blend giving spinodal decomposition. Linearization of the diffusion equation and solution of the rate equation for the growth of density fluctuations show that, due to evaporation, the spinodal wavelength initially decreases with time and only emerges as structural length scale after a given lag time. The lag time and emerging wavelength exhibit power-law behavior as a function of the evaporation rate with exponents of −2/3 and −1/6. The model predicts an increasing feature size and decreasing fullerene concentration in the polymer-rich phase with the increasing drying time, in accordance with experimental observations and device performance measurements.
Integrative analysis of human omics data using biomolecular networks
Authors: Robinson Jonathan L. , Nielsen Jens
Published: August 2016

Biomolecular networks, such as genome-scale metabolic models and protein–protein interaction networks, facilitate the extraction of new information from high-throughput omics data.
Electrostatically promoted dynamic hybridization of glucans with cationic polythiophene
Authors: Fukuhara Gaku , Imai Mami , Fuentealba Denis , Ishida Yuki , Kurohara Hiroki , Yang Cheng , Mori Tadashi , Uyama Hiroshi , Bohne Cornelia , Inoue Yoshihisa
Published: August 2016

A hetero-triplex composed of a glucan and a cationic polythiophene was dynamic and disassembled into a hetero-duplex in basic solutions.
Well-structured holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals by employing acrylamide and doping ZnS nanoparticles
Authors: Ni Mingli , Chen Guannan , Sun Hongwei , Peng Haiyan , Yang Zhifang , Liao Yonggui , Ye Yunsheng , Yang Yingkui , Xie Xiaolin
Published: August 2016

High diffraction efficiency, low driving voltage and well-structured HPDLC gratings were fabricated through incorporating an acrylamide monomer and doping ZnS nanoparticles.
Oxidation of cyclohexanol to adipic acid with molecular oxygen catalyzed by ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on hydroxyapatite
Authors: Ghiaci M. , Hosseini S. M. , Shahzeydi A. , Martínez-Huerta M. V.
Published: August 2016

ZnO nanoparticles formed in microemulsion droplets for aerobic oxidation of cyclohexanol.
Cellular uptake studies of antisense oligonucleotides using G-quadruplex-nanostructures. The effect of cationic residue on the biophysical and biological properties
Authors: Grijalvo Santiago , Alagia Adele , Gargallo Raimundo , Eritja Ramon
Published: August 2016

Cellular uptake studies of G-quadruplex constructs having the Tetrahymena telomeric repeat sequence d(TGGGGT) modified with amino and guanidinium residues at the 3′-termini and an antisense oligonucleotide at 5′-termini were studied.
Synthesis of BiVO4–TiO2–BiVO4three-layer composite photocatalyst: effect of layered heterojunction structure on the enhancement of photocatalytic activity
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Li Wenjun , Zhao Yanjun , Gu Shaonan , Wang Fangzhi , Li Hongda , Liu Xintong , Ren Chaojun
Published: August 2016

A BiVO4–TiO2–BiVO4three-layer heterostructure photocatalyst was successfully synthesized, which exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance with the effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs.
Competitive method-based electrochemiluminescent assay with protein–nucleotide conversion for ratio detection to efficiently monitor the drug resistance of cancer cells
Authors: Liang Wen-Bin , Yang Ming-Zhen , Zhuo Ying , Zheng Ying-Ning , Xiong Cheng-Yi , Chai Ya-Qin , Yuan Ruo
Published: August 2016

A competitive method-based electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assay with a single ECL indicator was proposed to efficiently estimate the concentration ratio of two proteins.
Nano-bio hybrids of plasmonic metals/photosynthetic proteins for broad-band light absorption enhancement in organic solar cells
Authors: Yao Kai , Jiao Huifeng , Xu Yun-Xiang , He Qiqi , Li Fan , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: August 2016

We prepare novel nano-bio hybrids by employing Ag nanoprisms as surface plasmons to couple with light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) for broad-band optical enhancement in organic photovoltaics. The results open the possibility to use metal nanoparticles for tuning the photophysical properties of integral biomolecules in a well-defined way.
Low-energy formate production from CO2 electroreduction using electrodeposited tin on GDE
Authors: Irtem E. , Andreu T. , Parra A. , Hernández-Alonso M. D. , García-Rodríguez S. , Riesco-García J. M. , Penelas-Pérez G. , Morante J. R.
Published: August 2016

The binder free Sn-GDE obtained by electrodeposition allows CO2 electroreduction to formate with low energy consumption for sustainable fuel production.
High performance bio-based elastomers: energy efficient and sustainable materials for tires
Authors: Lei Weiwei , Zhou Xinxin , Russell Thomas P. , Hua Kuo-chih , Yang Xiaoping , Qiao He , Wang Wencai , Li Fanzhu , Wang Runguo , Zhang Liqun
Published: August 2016

An important breakthrough: a high performance bio-based elastomer for green tires via sustainable resources that reduce CO2 emission.
Polymer-coated graphene films as anti-reflective transparent electrodes for Schottky junction solar cells
Authors: Gan Xin , Lv Ruitao , Zhu Haoyue , Ma Lai-Peng , Wang Xuyang , Zhang Zexia , Huang Zheng-Hong , Zhu Hongwei , Ren Wencai , Terrones Mauricio , Kang Feiyu
Published: August 2016

Anti-reflective transparent electrodes are achieved demonstrating a highest efficiency of 13% and short-circuit current density of 34 mA cm−2.
Enhanced siRNA delivery of a cyclododecylated dendrimer compared to its linear derivative
Authors: Shen Wanwan , Liu Hongmei , Ling-Hu Ye , Wang Hui , Cheng Yiyun
Published: August 2016

Lipid modification has been widely applied to improve the gene delivery efficacy of cationic polymers.
Streptokinase@alumina nanoparticles as a promising thrombolytic colloid with prolonged action
Authors: Chapurina Yulia E. , Drozdov Andrey S. , Popov Inna , Vinogradov Vasiliy V. , Dudanov Ivan P. , Vinogradov Vladimir V.
Published: August 2016

A fully biocompatible thrombolytic nanocolloid providing high stability and prolonged activity has been developed.
Compact tri‐band bandpass filter using SISRLR
Authors: Liu Shuai , Xu Jun
Published: August 2016

A novel tri‐band bandpass filter (BPF) using a stepped‐impedance square ring loaded resonator (SISRLR) is presented. The proposed resonator consists of a square ring with two open stubs and two short stubs. By tuning the impedance ratios of the SISRLR, the passbands can be adjusted and three pairs of transmission poles are produced for tri‐band design. On the basis of the resonator, a miniaturised tri‐band BPF operating at 1.7 GHz (mobile communication), 3.5 GHz (worldwide interoperability for microwave access application), and 5.8 GHz (WLAN application) has been designed and fabricated. Measured results demonstrate good agreement with simulations.
Evaluating 200G/400G solutions for practical deployments in long‐haul network
Authors: Ma Yiran , Makovejs Sergejs , Wang Qing , Wood William A. , Kaliteevskiy Nikolay , Li Junjie , Zhang Chengliang
Published: August 2016

200G/400G systems based on 16QAM and 8QAM are studied over three China Telecom links with different distances and span lengths. Ultra‐low loss and ultra‐low loss + large Aeff fibres were shown to support high‐order modulation with sufficient industrial margin.
Rate‐compatible spatially coupled LDPC code ensembles based on repeat‐accumulate extensions
Authors: Hou Wei , Lu Shan , Cheng Jun
Published: August 2016

A family of rate‐compatible capacity‐approaching codes is obtained by spatially coupling multiple identical copies of rate‐compatible base codes. The base code consists of a given regular low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) code and a parameter‐adjustable repeat‐accumulate (RA) extension. The RA‐extension repeatedly accumulates all of the variable nodes of the given LDPC code by q + 1 times to generate q + 1 blocks of accumulated nodes, in which all of the accumulated variable nodes in the first q blocks and the α‐fractional accumulated variable nodes in the last block are transmitted. The spatially coupled versions of the base codes, called RA‐extended spatially coupled LDPC (SC‐LDPC) codes, achieve arbitrary rates by simply adjusting parameters q and α, and thus they are rate‐compatible. The potential thresholds of the base code ensembles are calculated to predict the iterative decoding performance of the proposed RA‐extended SC‐LDPC codes. Numerical results and simulations show that the authors’ proposed rate‐compatible codes are capacity‐approaching over binary erasure channels.