Investigating the written English self-efficacy of gifted and non- gifted adolescents

Self-efficacy is a belief. It can encourage or hamper students from learning to their full potential. Students who are efficacious are more motivated, more persistent to meet their goals and are more likely to take learning risks. The research into the self-efficacy of students classified as verbally or non-verbally gifted is in its infancy. This book details a Doctoral dissertation that investigated the written English self-efficacy of adolescent students. Results identified verbally gifted students had higher written English self-efficacy, were more intrinsically motivated, had higher levels of creativity and wrote superior essays compared to non-verbally gifted and non-gifted students. Findings highlighted differences between gender as female student?s recorded higher self-efficacy and written English performance scores and interestingly, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds reported higher self-efficacy compared to students from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Pedagogical implications are considered with teachers encouraged to realise the impact of self-efficacy upon student learning, motivation and persistence regardless of their academic ability.

Building academic resilience: A longitudinal study of Master of Teaching students’ perceptions of written feedback on high stakes assessment

This paper reports on a two-year study of tertiary education students’ perceptions of written feedback on assessment. Contextualised in a regional Australian university and drawing on a cohort of Master of Teaching pre-service teachers, a survey approach was used to collect data from participants in both years of their graduate-level entry program. The paper contributes to the emerging body of literature on students’ perceptions of written feedback on assessment by discussing four themes that emerged from the study. It concludes with a number of recommendations for teacher educators to enhance current feedback practices.

Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to UV-C radiation and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis

 This work demonstrates the relationship between two seemingly unrelated stresses, and shows that exposing plants to UV radiation can increase their resistance to disease caused by a plant pathogen.

Sub-lethal UV-C radiation induces callose, hydrogen peroxide and defence-related gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Exposure of plants to UV-C irradiation induces gene expression and cellular responses that are commonly associated with wounding and pathogen defence, and in some cases can lead to increased resistance against pathogen infection. We examined, at a physiological, molecular and biochemical level, the effects of and responses to, sub-lethal UV-C exposure on Arabidopsis plants when irradiated with increasing dosages of UV-C radiation. Following UV-C exposure plants had reduced leaf areas over time, with the severity of reduction increasing with dosage. Severe morphological changes that included leaf glazing, bronzing and curling were found to occur in plants treated with the 1000 J·m(-2) dosage. Extensive damage to the mesophyll was observed, and cell death occurred in both a dosage- and time-dependent manner. Analysis of H2 O2 activity and the pathogen defence marker genes PR1 and PDF1.2 demonstrated induction of these defence-related responses at each UV-C dosage tested. Interestingly, in response to UV-C irradiation the production of callose (β-1,3-glucan) was identified at all dosages examined. Together, these results show plant responses to UV-C irradiation at much lower doses than have previously been reported, and that there is potential for the use of UV-C as an inducer of plant defence.

Visible and UV functionality of TiO2 ternary nanocomposites on cotton

This research intends to increase the photocatalytic efficiency of cotton fabrics coated with TiO2-based nanocomposites under illumination particularly visible light. The fabrics were functionalized using a low-temperature sol-gel method of TiO2/Metal/SiO2 nanocomposite systems. Integrating silica and noble metals into TiO2 sol was put forth for boosting its functionality. Three noble metals (gold (Au), platinum (Pt) and silver (Ag)) with four different concentrations were employed. The photocatalytic activity of the functionalized fabrics was assessed through coffee stain-removal test and photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB) under UV and visible light. The impact of coating layers on fabrics' hydrophilicity was analyzed through measuring the water contact angle as well as the water absorption time. The fabrics were characterized using XRD, SEM and EDS. It was corroborated that the presence of silica enhanced the self-stain-removal capability of fabrics under UV. Moreover, the self-cleaning property of fabrics improved under both UV and visible light after integrating the metals into the colloids. In the same line, the self-cleaning activity threshold of fabrics was shifted to visible region.

Wettability investigation of UV/oand acid functionalized MWCNT and MWCNT/PMMA nanocomposites by contact angle measurement

The dispersion state of individual MWCNT in the polymer matrix influences the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the resulting composite. One method of obtaining a good dispersion state of MWCNT in a polymer matrix is to functionalize the surface of MWCNT using various treatments to enhance the surface energy and increase the dispersibility of MWCNT. In this study, wettability and surface energy of UV/Oand acid-treated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer nanocomposites were measured using contact angle analysis in various solvent media. Contact angle analysis was based on ethylene glycol-water-glycerol probe liquid set and data was further fitted into geometric mean (Fowkes), van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (GvOC), and Chang-Qing-Chen (CQC) models to determine both nonpolar and acid base surface energy components. Analysis was conducted on MWCNT thin films subjected to different levels of UV/Oand acid treatments as well as their resulting MWCNT/PMMA nanocomposites. Contact angle analysis of thin films and nanocomposites revealed that the total surface energy of all samples was well fitted with each other. In addition, CQC model was able to determine the surface nature and polarity of MWCNT and its nanocomposites. Results indicated that the wettability changes in the thin film and its nanocomposites are due to the change in surface chemistry. Finally, electrical properties of nanocomposites were measured to investigate the effect of surface functionality (acid or basic) on the MWCNT surfaces.

Off-line two-dimensional liquid chromatography for metabolomics: an example using Agaricus bisporus mushrooms exposed to UV irradiation

It has previously been shown that irradiation with UV light increases the vitamin D content of certain mushroom species, but the effect on other nutrients is unknown, and is difficult to assess due to the complexity of the sample matrix. Here, an offline reversed phase × reversed phase two-dimensional liquid chromatography methodology was developed and applied to Agaricus bisporus mushrooms in order to demonstrate the potential of the technique and assess the effect of UV irradiation on the mushroom’s metabolic profile. The method allowed the detection of 158 peaks in a single analytical run. A total of 51 compounds including sugars, amino acids, organic and fatty acids and phenolic compounds were identified using certified reference standards. After irradiation of the mushrooms with UV for 30 s the number of peaks detected decreased from 158 to 150; 47 compounds increased in concentration while 72 substances decreased. This is the first time that two-dimensional liquid chromatography has been carried out for the metabolomic analysis of mushrooms. The data provide an overview of the gain/loss of nutritional value of the mushrooms following UV irradiation and demonstrate that the increased peak capacity and separation space of two-dimensional liquid chromatography has great potential in metabolomics.

UV protection performance of textiles affected by fiber cross-sectional shape

Abstract
In this study, a model was set up for simulating the effects of varying fiber cross-sectional shapes on ultraviolet protection of fibers. The fiber diameter and fiber type were also involved in the model setting. Experiments of diffuse reflectance spectra measurement on natural (wool, cotton, silk), regenerated (bamboo viscose) and synthetic (polyester, nylon) fibers were conducted to verify the model predicted results. When a more complex shape was assumed as the fiber cross-section for model calculation, the predicted results have a better agreement with the actual results. The effects on ultraviolet absorption from fibers with different cross-sectional shapes were investigated at a single fiber, fiber bundle and yarn levels. With the same material, when the fiber cross-sectional area and the areal coverage of a single fiber were constant, the triangular shape had the lowest ultraviolet transmittance and the highest ultraviolet reflectance for a single fiber and also for a fiber bundle. The difference of fiber cross-sectional shapes was also significant in the ultraviolet protection of a single yarn.

Preventing wool photoyellowing with inorganic UV absorbers

 Novel nano-structured inorganic UV absorbers have been fabricated in this work to protect wool against wool photoyellowing. These inorganic UV absorbers also can be used in other field for UV protection.

Discharge communication from inpatient care: an audit of written medical discharge summary procedure against the new National Health Service Standard for clinical handover

OBJECTIVE: To audit written medical discharge summary procedure and practice against Standard Six (clinical handover) of the Australian National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards at a major regional Victorian health service. METHODS: Department heads were invited to complete a questionnaire about departmental discharge summary practices. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (82%) department heads completed the questionnaire. Seven (26%) departments had a documented discharge summary procedure. Fourteen (52%) departments monitored discharge summary completion and 13 (48%) departments monitored the timeliness of completion. Seven (26%) departments informed the patient of the content of the discharge summary and six (22%) departments provided the patient with a copy. Seven (26%) departments provided training for staff members on how to complete discharge summaries. Completing discharge summaries was usually delegated to the medical intern. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the National Service Standards prompted an organisation-wide audit of discharge summary practices against the external criterion. There was substantial variation in the organisation's practices. The Standards and the current audit results highlight an opportunity for the organisation to enhance and standardise discharge summary practices and improve communication with general practice.