Australian Catholic University

About: Australian Catholic University is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 2721 authors who have published 10013 publications receiving 215248 citations. The organization is also known as: ACU & ACU National.

The Internal/External Frame of Reference Model of Self-Concept and Achievement Relations: Age-Cohort and Cross-Cultural Differences

Abstract: The internal/external frame of reference (I/E) model and dimensional comparison theory posit paradoxical relations between achievement (ACH) and self-concept (SC) in mathematics (M) and verbal (V) domains; ACH in each domain positively affects SC in the matching domain (e.g., MACH to MSC) but negatively in the nonmatching domain (e.g., MACH to VSC). This substantive-methodological synergy based on latent variable models of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data supports the generalizability of these predictions in relation to: mathematics and science domains, intrinsic motivation as well as self-concept, and age and nationality, based on nationally representative matched samples of fourth- and eighth-grade students from three Middle Eastern Islamic, five Western, and four Asian countries (N=117,321 students) with important theoretical, developmental, cross-cultural, and methodological implications.

‘Looks good on your CV’: The sociology of voluntourism recruitment in higher education

Abstract: The recruitment for what has become known as ‘voluntourism’ takes place on campuses at many universities in Australia. Under the banner of ‘making a difference’ students are solicited to travel to developing countries to aid poor communities, to enjoy the sights and tastes of the distant and exotic ‘other’, the ‘experience’ touted as a useful addition to the curriculum vitae (CV). This article addresses the discursive terrain of voluntourism by providing an analysis of the ways in which students are invited to participate in such cultural practices while recruiters give little or no information about the lived realities of people in poor nations. We argue that voluntourism reinforces the dominant paradigm that the poor of developing countries require the help of affluent westerners to induce development. We contend that the recruitment of students by voluntourism organisations is an example of public pedagogy that reinforces a hegemonic discourse of need.

Effects of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation programme for Chinese patients with schizophrenia: 2-year follow-up

Abstract: Background Psychoeducation programmes for people with schizophrenia are shown to reduce relapses but few studies have indicated significant improvements in patients’ illness awareness and insight, functioning, symptom severity or rates of readmission to hospital. Aims To examine the effects of a mindfulness-based psychoeducation programme for Chinese people with schizophrenia. Method A multisite randomised controlled trial was conducted with 107 out-patients with schizophrenia: 36 and 35 received a 6-month mindfulness-based psychoeducation and a conventional psychoeducation programme, respectively, and 35 received routine care alone. Patient outcome measures were psychiatric symptom severity, psychosocial functioning, social support, insight into illness/treatment, and frequency and duration of readmissions to hospital ([ClinicalTrials.gov][1]: trial registration [NCT01667601][2]). Results The mindfulness-based psychoeducation group reported significantly greater improvements in psychiatric symptoms, psychosocial functioning, insight into illness/treatment and duration of readmissions to hospital over 24 months when compared with the other two groups. Conclusions Mindfulness-based psychoeducation appears to be a promising approach to treatment for Chinese patients with schizophrenia. [1]: http://ClinicalTrials.gov [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01667601&atom=%2Fbjprcpsych%2F205%2F1%2F52.atom

Hypoxic conditioning enhances the angiogenic paracrine activity of human adipose-derived stem cells.

Abstract: Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) secrete cytokines and growth factors that can be harnessed in a paracrine fashion for promotion of angiogenesis, cell survival, and activation of endogenous stem cells. We recently showed that hypoxia is a powerful stimulus for an angiogenic activity from ASCs in vitro and here we investigate the biological significance of this paracrine activity in an in vivo angiogenesis model. A single in vitro exposure of ASCs to severe hypoxia (<0.1% O2) significantly increased both the transcriptional and translational level of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and angiogenin (ANG). The angiogenicity of the ASC-conditioned medium (ASCCM) was assessed by implanting ASCCM-treated polyvinyl alcohol sponges subcutaneously for 2 weeks in mice. The morphometric analysis of anti-CD31-immunolabeled sponge sections demonstrated an increased angiogenesis with hypoxic ASCCM treatment compared to normoxic control ASCCM treatment (percentage vascular volume; 6.0%±0.5% in the hypoxic ASCCM vs. 4.1%±0.7% in the normoxic ASCCM, P<0.05). Reduction of VEGF-A and ANG levels in the ASCCM with respective neutralizing antibodies before sponge implantation showed a significantly diminished angiogenic response (3.5%±0.5% in anti-VEGF-A treated, 3.2%±0.7% in anti-ANG treated, and 3.5%±0.6% in anti-VEGF-A/ANG treated). Further, both the normoxic and hypoxic ASCCM were able to sustain in vivo lymphangiogenesis in sponges. Collectively, the model demonstrated that the increased paracrine production of the VEGF-A and ANG in hypoxic-conditioned ASCs in vitro translated to an in vivo effect with a favorable biological significance. These results further illustrate the potential for utilization of an in vitro optimized ASCCM for in vivo angiogenesis-related applications as an effective cell-free technology.