Edith Cowan University

About: Edith Cowan University is a education organization based out in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 4040 authors who have published 13529 publications receiving 339582 citations. The organization is also known as: Edith Cowan & ECU.

0D (MoS2)/2D (g-C3N4) heterojunctions in Z-scheme for enhanced photocatalytic and electrochemical hydrogen evolution

Abstract: MoS2 quantum dots (MSQDs) with high and stable dispersion in water were prepared via a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. The MSQDs were then applied to decorate graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) nanosheets to obtain modified g-C3N4 photocatalysts (MSQD-CN). Compared to pristine g-C3N4, the hybrid photocatalysts showed a slight red shift and stronger light absorption with remarkably improved photocatalytic activity in water splitting to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen-evolution rate over 0.2 wt% MSQD-CN increased by 1.3 and 8.1 times as high as that of 0.2 wt% Pt-CN and g-C3N4, respectively. With deposition of 2 wt% Pt as a cocatalyst, 5 wt% MSQD-CN exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency with an average hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rate of 577 μmol h−1 g−1. Photoluminescence spectra (PL) and photoelectrochemical measurements inferred that MSQDs introduction drastically promoted the electron transfer for more efficient separation of charge carriers, which could lower HER overpotential barriers and enhance the electrical conductivity. In addition, the well-matched band potentials of the MSQD-CN hybrid with an intimate contact interface of p-n heterojunction also inhibited the recombination of photo-generated carriers, leading to enhanced photocatalytic HER performance. A direct Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism of the MSQD-CN hybrid was proposed to further elaborate the synergistic effect between MSQDs, Pt and g-C3N4. This work underlines the importance of heterojunction interface and presents a feasible protocol for rational construction of g-C3N4 based photocatalysts for various photocatalytic applications.

The effect of peer collaboration on children's problem-solving ability

Abstract: Background. A Vygotskian framework links cognitive change to collaborative interaction with a more competent partner whereas a Piagetian perspective supports the view that cognitive conflict arising from peer interaction leads to cognitive change. Aims. The study investigated the effect of collaborative learning on children's problem-solving ability and whether differences in knowledge status or the use of explanatory language were contributing factors. Sample. Participants were 100 Year 2 children (aged between 6 and 7 years), from schools in high socio-economic areas, who individually completed a pre- and post-test comprising a block sorting task. Method. During the experimental phase, children completed a card sorting activity, either individually or in same-gender dyads. The dyads consisted of same or different ability children who operated under either a ‘talk’ or ‘no-talk’ condition. Results. It was found that children who collaborated collectively obtained a significantly higher number of correct sorts than children who worked individually. However, post-testing indicated that only those children of lower sorting ability who collaborated with higher sorting ability peers showed a significant improvement in sorting ability from pre-test scores. In addition, it was found that when analysis was limited to this particular group, only those children who were required to explain the sort for their partner to carry out improved significantly from pre- to post-test. Conclusion. It is suggested that perhaps the two theoretical positions are not as mutually exclusive as they are often portrayed. Implications of these findings for teachers and children's learning are also discussed.

Circulating tumor DNA to monitor treatment response and detect acquired resistance in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Abstract: // Elin S. Gray 1 , Helen Rizos 2,8 , Anna L. Reid 1 , Suzanah C. Boyd 2,8 , Michelle R. Pereira 1 , Johnny Lo 3 , Varsha Tembe 4 , James Freeman 1 , Jenny H.J. Lee 4,5 , Richard A. Scolyer 6,8 , Kelvin Siew 9 , Chris Lomma 9 , Adam Cooper 5 , Muhammad A. Khattak 10,11 , Tarek M. Meniawy 9,11 , Georgina V. Long 7,8 , Matteo S. Carlino 5,8 , Michael Millward 9,11 and Melanie Ziman 1,12 1 School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 3 School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia 4 Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Sydney at Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia 5 Department of Medical Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia 6 Disciplines of Pathology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 7 Medicine, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 8 Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 9 Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia 10 Department of Medical Oncology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia 11 School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia 12 School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia Correspondence to: Elin Gray, email: // Keywords : melanoma, ctDNA, acquired resistance, MAPK inhibition, immunotherapy Received : August 03, 2015 Accepted : August 31, 2015 Published : September 22, 2015 Abstract Repeat tumor biopsies to study genomic changes during therapy are difficult, invasive and data are confounded by tumoral heterogeneity. The analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can provide a non-invasive approach to assess prognosis and the genetic evolution of tumors in response to therapy. Mutation-specific droplet digital PCR was used to measure plasma concentrations of oncogenic BRAF and NRAS variants in 48 patients with advanced metastatic melanoma prior to treatment with targeted therapies (vemurafenib, dabrafenib or dabrafenib/trametinib combination) or immunotherapies (ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab). Baseline ctDNA levels were evaluated relative to treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS). Tumor-associated ctDNA was detected in the plasma of 35/48 (73%) patients prior to treatment and lower ctDNA levels at this time point were significantly associated with response to treatment and prolonged PFS, irrespective of therapy type. Levels of ctDNA decreased significantly in patients treated with MAPK inhibitors ( p < 0.001) in accordance with response to therapy, but this was not apparent in patients receiving immunotherapies. We show that circulating NRAS mutations, known to confer resistance to BRAF inhibitors, were detected in 3 of 7 (43%) patients progressing on kinase inhibitor therapy. Significantly, ctDNA rebound and circulating mutant NRAS preceded radiological detection of progressive disease. Our data demonstrate that ctDNA is a useful biomarker of response to kinase inhibitor therapy and can be used to monitor tumor evolution and detect the early appearance of resistance effectors.

Developing a frame of reference for ex-ante IT/IS investment evaluation

Abstract: Investment appraisal techniques are an integral part of many traditional capital budgeting processes. However, the adoption of Information Systems (IS) and the development of resulting infr...

Teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and their planning and conduct of computer‐mediated classroom lessons

Abstract: In this study, we observed and interviewed six teachers from two Singapore primary school classrooms. The schools were reportedly achieving high levels of computer integration as reflected in a nationwide questionnaire survey. Out of the 18 lessons that we observed, 14 lessons have incorporated some elements of constructivist teaching. However, closer examination revealed that the underlying orientation of the lessons was inclined towards information acquisition and regurgitation. Five out of the six teachers we interviewed were reportedly inclined towards constructivist notion of teaching. The teachers accounted for the inconsistency between their espoused beliefs and the teacher-centric teaching practice as due to contextual constraints. The teachers expressed that the need to complete the syllabi according to stipulated schedules so as to get the students ready for examination was the main barriers that prevented them from engaging in more constructivist teaching. This case study therefore highlights that although it is necessary for teachers to hold pedagogical beliefs that are compatible with the constructivist notion of teaching and learning, this is an insufficient condition to shift traditional teaching practice. Changes in assessment systems and substantial professional development are further conditions that have to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]