The educational context and services of children with additional needs in their first years of school in Australia

In Australia, children with additional needs are now primarily educated in mainstream regular classes and schools. While discussion has focused on teacher attitudes, teacher preparation and professional development to support the academic progress of children with additional needs, there is limited research examining the educational contexts and services provided to such children in Australian schools. This descriptive paper examines the educational contexts of 563 Australian children with additional needs, in reference to 3600 of their typically developing peers. Data in relation to educational setting, retention, prevalence of additional needs, access to specialist services, learning support, and individual programming are reported.

Structure of the K2 capsule associated with the KL2 gene cluster of Acinetobacter baumannii

The repeat unit structure of the K2 capsule from an extensively antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 2 (GC2) strain was determined. The oligosaccharide contains three simple sugars, d-glucopyranose, d-galatopyranose and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, and the complex sugar, 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-l-glycero-l-manno-non-2-ulosonic acid (Pse5Ac7Ac or pseudaminic acid), which has not previously been reported in any A. baumannii capsule. The strain was found to carry all the genes required for the synthesis of the sugars and construction of the K2 structure. The linkages catalyzed by the initiating transferase, three glycosyltransferases and the Wzy polymerase were also predicted. Examination of publicly available A. baumannii genome sequences revealed that the same gene cluster, KL2, often occurs in extensively antibiotic-resistant GC2 isolates and in further strain types. The gene module responsible for the synthesis of pseudaminic acid was also detected in four other K loci. A related module including genes for an acylated relative of pseudaminic acid was also found in two new KL types. A polymerase chain reaction scheme was developed to detect all modules containing genes for sugars based on pseudaminic acid and to specifically detect KL2.

Common variants at 12q14 and 12q24 are associated with hippocampal volume

Aging is associated with reductions in hippocampal volume that are accelerated by Alzheimer's disease and vascular risk factors. Our genome-wide association study (GWAS) of dementia-free persons (n = 9,232) identified 46 SNPs at four loci with P values of <4.0 × 10 -7. In two additional samples (n = 2,318), associations were replicated at 12q14 within MSRB3-WIF1 (discovery and replication; rs17178006; P = 5.3 × 10 -11) and at 12q24 near HRK-FBXW8 (rs7294919; P = 2.9 × 10 -11). Remaining associations included one SNP at 2q24 within DPP4 (rs6741949; P = 2.9 × 10 -7) and nine SNPs at 9p33 within ASTN2 (rs7852872; P = 1.0 × 10 -7); along with the chromosome 12 associations, these loci were also associated with hippocampal volume (P < 0.05) in a third younger, more heterogeneous sample (n = 7,794). The SNP in ASTN2 also showed suggestive association with decline in cognition in a largely independent sample (n = 1,563). These associations implicate genes related to apoptosis (HRK), development (WIF1), oxidative stress (MSR3B), ubiquitination (FBXW8) and neuronal migration (ASTN2), as well as enzymes targeted by new diabetes medications (DPP4), indicating new genetic influences on hippocampal size and possibly the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

The first observation of a Na2TiS2 related structure in a 2-D anionic manganese trimesate intercalated by cationic imidazole

A hydrothermal reaction of Mn(OAc)2·4H2O, trimesic acid, imidazole, KOH and water at 75 °C for 24 h gave rise to a 2-D compound, [HImd][Mn(BTC)(H2O)] (Imd = imidazole; BTC = trimesate), with protonated imidazole molecules occupying the inter-lamellar space, and the structure resembles the classic inorganic compound, the sodium intercalated TiS2 (Na2TiS2).

Left-Handed DNA in Synthetic and Topologically Constrained Form V-DNA

We have investigated structural transitions in Poly(dG-dC) and Poly(dG-Me5dC) in order to understand the exact role of cations in stabilizing left-handed helical structures in specific sequences andthe biological role, if any, of these structures. From a novel temperature dependent transition it has been shown that a minor fluctuation in Na+ concentration at ambient temperature can bring about Β to Ζ transition. Forthe first time, wehave observed a novel double transition in poly(dG-Me5dC) as the Na+ concentration is gradually increased. This suggests that a minor fluctuation in Na+ concentration in conjunction with methylation may transform small stretches of CG sequences from one conformational state to another. These stretches could probably serve as sites for regulation. Supercoiled formV DNA reconstituted from pBR322 and pßG plasmids have been studied as model systems, in order to understand the nature and role of left-handed helical conformation in natural sequences. A large portion of DNA in form V, obtained by reannealing the two complementary singlestranded circles is forced to adopt left-handed double helical structure due to topological constraints (Lk = 0). Binding studies with Z-DNA specific antibody and spectroscopic studies confirm the presence of left-handed Z-structure in the pßG and pßR322 form V DNA. Cobalt hexamine chloride, which induces Z-form in Poly(dG-dC) stabilizes the Z-conformation in form V DNA even in the non-alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences. A reverse effect is observed with ethidium bromide. Interestingly, both topoisomerase I and II (from wheat germ) act effectively on form V DNA to give rise to a species having an electrophoretic mobility on agarose gel similar to that of open circular (form II) DNA. Whether this molecule is formed as a result of the left-handed helical segments of form V DNA undergoing a transition to the right-handed B-form during the topoisomerase action remains to be solved.

Establishment of an Australian mild onion industry - the sensory component

In recent years, there has been increasing interest from growers, merchants, supermarkets and consumers in the establishment of a national mild onion industry. Imperative to the success of the emergent industry is the application of the National Mild Onion Certification Scheme that will establish standards and recommendations to be met by growers to allow them to declare their product as certified mild onions. The use of sensory evaluation techniques has played an imperative role throughout the project timeline that has also included varietal evaluation, evaluation of current agronomic practices and correlation of chemical analysis data. Raw onion consumer acceptance testing on five different onion varieties established preferences amongst the varieties for odour, appearance, flavour, texture and overall and differences in the level of pungency and aftertaste perceived. Demographic information was obtained regarding raw and cooked onion use, frequency of consumption and responses to the idea of a mild, less pungent onion. Additionally, focus groups were conducted to further investigate consumer attitudes to onions. Currently, a trained onion panel is being established to evaluate several odour, flavour and aftertaste attributes. Sample assessments will be conducted in January 2004 and correlated with chemical analyses that will hopefully provide the corner-stone for the anticipated Certification Scheme.

Absorption of electromagnetic radiation by superconducting YBa2Cu3O7: an oxygen-induced phenomenon

In the superconducting state, YBa2Cu3O7 absorbs electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of frequencies (8 MHz-9 GHz). The absorption is extremely sensitive to temperature, particle size and the magnetic field and depends crucially on the presence of oxygen. A possible explanation for the phenomenon based on the formation of Josephson junctions is suggested.

Liivin kielen ajan perusyksiköihin perustuvat ajan adverbiaalit

Pro gradu –työni tutkimuskohteena ovat liivin kielen ajan adverbiaalit, jotka on muodostettu ajan perusyksiköiden pohjalta. Tutkimus on aineistolähtöinen ja perustuu 563:een esimerkkilauseeseen. Ne on koottu kolmesta kielennäytekokoelmasta: E. N. Setälän ja Väinö Kyrölän kokoelmasta Näytteitä liivin kielestä (1953), Seppo Suhosen kokoelmasta Liivin kielen näytteitä (1975) sekä Julius Mägisten kokoelmasta Muistoja Liivinrannasta (2006). Lisäksi esimerkkejä on Lauri Kettusen liivin sanakirjasta Livisches Wörterbuch (1938). Käsittelemäni ajan perusyksiköt ovat aikaa nimeäviä substantiiveja, kuten vuorokaudenaikojen, viikonpäivien, kuukausien ja vuodenaikojen nimitykset sekä merkitykset ’vuosi’, ’kuukausi’, ’viikko’, ’tunti’, ’minuutti’ ja ’sekunti’. Liivin kielessä näistä muodostetaan ajan adverbiaaleja leksikaalisin ja syntaktisin keinoin. Leksikaaliset ajan adverbiaalit rajautuvat semanttisin perustein: ne ovat sijamuodoissa taivutettuja substantiiveja. Syntaktiset ajan adverbiaalit ovat useampisanaisia adpositiolausekkeita ja kiinteitä sanaliittoja. Ne on muodostettu adpositioiden, kvanttoripronominien, demonstratiivipronominien tai muiden määritteiden avulla ajan perusyksiköiden pohjalta. Tutkielmassani käsittelen aikaa myös hieman laajemmasta näkökulmasta: käsittelen aikaa ilmaisevien yksiköiden muodostumista sekä ajan kielellistämistä. Esittelen myös aiempaa tutkimusta ajan adverbiaaleista sekä tähän mennessä laaditut liivin kieliopin kuvaukset. Ne ovat keskittyneet enemmän morfologian kuin syntaksin esittelyyn. Ajan adverbiaalit ovat jääneet vain maininnan asteelle, joten käsittelemäni aihe on varsin tutkimatonta aluetta liivin kielessä. Adverbiaalien ja tarkemmin ajan adverbiaalien määrittelyn olen perustanut Ison suomen kieliopin pohjalle. Yleisestikin läpi työni kulkee liivin kielen rakenteiden ja ilmiöiden vertailu erityisesti suomeen ja viroon. Taustaksi tutkimukselleni esittelen ajan perusyksiköt ja niiden etymologiaa Itämerenalueen kielistä suomessa, virossa, saksassa, ruotsissa, latviassa ja venäjässä. Liivin aineiston käsittely alkaa myös ajan perusyksiköiden ja niistä muodostettujen leksikaalisten ajan adverbiaalien esittelyllä. Leksikaaliset ajan adverbiaalit muodostetaan liivissä usean eri sijamuodon avulla. Yleisin on partitiivi-illatiivi. Muut käytetyt sijat ovat nominatiivi-genetiivi, illatiivi, inessiivi ja adessiivi sekä epäproduktiivinen essiivi. Leksikaalisten ajan adverbiaalien yhteydessä viittaan myös objektin sijaiseen määrän adverbiaaliin eli osmaan. Syntaktisten ajan adverbiaalien yhteydessä käsittelen sekä niiden muodostamista yleensä että niitä muodostavien elementtien muotoa. Adpositiolausekkeiden yhteydessä käsittelen myös adpositioiden ilmenemistä itämerensuomalaisissa kielissä. Aineistossani esiintyy 11 eri adpositiota tai adposition tavoin käytettyä nominia. Kuvaan sekä adpositioiden itsensä muotoa että adpositioiden täydennyksen muotoa. Ajan adverbiaaleja muodostavia kvanttoripronomineja esiintyy aineistossani viisi. Osa niistä ajan adverbiaaleina esiintyessään taipuu ja usein myös kongruoi täydennyksensä kanssa, osa on taipumattomia ja niiden täydennys on lähes aina nominatiivi-genetiivissä. Ajan adverbiaaleja muodostetaan myös kolmen demonstratiivipronominin avulla. Demonstratiivipronomini ja sen pääsana voivat kongruoida tai pääsana voi esiintyä samassa muodossa kuin yksin leksikaalisena ajan adverbiaalina. Muita määritteitä aineistossani on neljä. Kolme niistä on nomineja ja yksi on partisiippi. Ne eivät useimmiten itse taivu ja niiden täydennys on tavallisesti nominatiivi-genetiivissä, mutta joissakin tapauksissa myös paikallissijoissa. Työssäni olen viitannut myös leksikaalistumiseen. Liivissä useat muissa itämerensuomalaisissa kielissä esiintyvät sijamuodot ovat muuttuneet epäproduktiivisiksi. Tällaisia ovat ulkopaikallissijat sekä essiivi ja instruktiivi. Näitä kaikkia kuitenkin esiintyy ajan ilmausten yhteydessä ja ulkopaikallissijoista erityisesti adessiivilla näyttäisi olevan tärkeä asema sekä ajan että paikan ilmauksissa.

Differences between the in vitro digestibility of extrusa collected from oesophageal fistulated steers and the forage consumed.

In a study that included C-4 tropical grasses, C-3 temperate grasses and C-3 pasture legumes, in vitro dry matter digestibility of extrusa, measured as in vitro dry matter loss (IVDML) during incubation, compared with that of the forage consumed, was greater for grass extrusa but not for legume extrusa. The increase in digestibility was not caused by mastication or by the freezing of extrusa samples during storage but by the action of saliva. Comparable increases in IVDML were achieved merely by mixing bovine saliva with ground forage samples. Differences were greater than could be explained by increases due to completely digestible salivary DM. There was no significant difference between animals in relation to the saliva effect on IVDML and, except for some minor differences, similar saliva effects on IVDML were measured using either the pepsin-cellulase or rumen fluid-pepsin in vitro techniques. For both C-4 and C-3 grasses the magnitude of the differences were inversely related to IVDML of the feed and there was little or no difference between extrusa and feed at high digestibilities (>70%) whereas differences of more than 10 percentage units were measured on low quality grass forages. The data did not suggest that the extrusa or saliva effect on digestibility was different for C-3 grasses than for C-4 grasses but data on C-3 grasses were limited to few species and to high digestibility samples. For legume forages there was no saliva effect when the pepsin-cellulase method was used but there was a small but significant positive effect using the rumen fluid-pepsin method. It was concluded that when samples of extrusa are analysed using in vitro techniques, predicted in vivo digestibility of the feed consumed will often be overestimated, especially for low quality grass diets. The implications of overestimating in vivo digestibility and suggestions for overcoming such errors are discussed.

Population genetic evidence for the east–west division of the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson, Perciformes: Teleostei) along Wallace’s Line

Mitochondrial DNA D-loop (control) region (426-bp) was used to infer the genetic structure of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from populations in Southeast Asia (Brunei, East and West Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and China) and northern Australia (including western Timor). An east–west division along Wallace’s Line was strongly supported by a significant AMOVA, with 43% of the total sequence variation partitioned among groups of populations. Phylogenetic and network analyses supported two clades: clade A and clade B. Members of clade A were found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, but not in locations to the west (Gulf of Thailand) or north (China). Clade B was found exclusively in Southeast Asia. Genetic division along Wallace’s Line suggests that co-management of S. commerson populations for future sustainability may not be necessary between Southeast Asian nations and Australia, however all countries should share the task of management of the species in Southeast Asia equally. More detailed genetic studies of S. commerson populations in the region are warranted.

A numerical study of thermocapillary flow in a rectangular cavity during laser melting

The surface tension gradient driven flow that occurs during laser melting has been studied. The vorticity-streamfunction form of the Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation has been solved by the ‘Alternative Direction Implicit’ method. It has been shown that the inertia forces in the melt strongly influence the flow pattern in the melt. The convection in the melt modifies the isotherms in the melt at high surface tension Reynolds number and high Prandtl number. The buoyancy driven flow has been shown to be negligible compared to the surface tension gradient driven flow in laser melting.

Comments on "Room temperature interfacial reactions in electrodeposited Au/Sn couples"

Recently, Tang et al. (Acta Mater. 56 (2008) 5818) published a paper explaining room temperature growth of the phases in the Au/Sn system. In their analysis, they considered Au as the only mobile species for all the product phases, and Sn as virtually immobile. It is shown here that this analysis is not correct, since Sn has a higher diffusion rate through the AuSn4 phase. On the other hand, the mobilities of species in the AuSn2 phase are as yet unknown.

Pulsatile blood flow in a rigid pulmonary alveolar sheet with porous walls

This paper deals with the pulsatile blood flow in the lung alveolar sheets by idealizing each of them as a channel covered by porous media. As the blood flow in the lung is of low Reynolds number, a creeping flow is assumed in the channel. The analytical and numerical results for the velocity and pressure distribution in the porous medium are presented. The effect of an imposed slip condition is also studied. Comparisons with the corresponding results for the steady-state case are made at the end.

Synthesis of Silica Vesicles with Controlled Entrance Size for High Loading, Sustained Release, and Cellular Delivery of Therapeutical Proteins

A rationally designed two-step synthesis of silica vesicles is developed with the formation of vesicular structure in the first step and fine control over the entrance size by tuning the temperature in the second step. The silica vesicles have a uniform size of ≈50 nm with excellent cellular uptake performance. When the entrance size is equal to the wall thickness, silica vesicles after hydrophobic modification show the highest loading amount (563 mg/g) towards Ribonuclease A with a sustained release behavior. Consequently, the silica vesicles are excellent nano-carriers for cellular delivery applications of therapeutical biomolecules.

Scaling for binary liquid systems and ferromagnets under pressure

Scaling relations between the critical indices are derived for two similar systems exhibiting λ lines: binary liquid systems and ferromagnets under pressure. In addition to the usual scaling relations, this procedure gives information about other weakly divergent quantities like isothermal compressibility and thermal expansion. Suggestions for more detailed investigations are made.