University of Adelaide

About: University of Adelaide is a education organization based out in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 27251 authors who have published 79167 publications receiving 2671128 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of Adelaide & Adelaide University.

Insights into the Electron-Transfer Regime of Peroxydisulfate Activation on Carbon Nanotubes: The Role of Oxygen Functional Groups

Abstract: Carbon-driven advanced oxidation processes are appealing in wastewater purification because of the metal-free feature of the carbocatalysts. However, the regime of the emerging nonradical pathway i...

Immunomodulatory properties of human periodontal ligament stem cells

Abstract: Tissue engineering utilizing periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) has recently been proposed for the development of new periodontal regenerative therapies. Although the use of autologous PDLSC transplantation eliminates the potential of a significant host immune response against the donor cells, it is often difficult to generate enough PDLSCs from one donor source due to the variation of stem cell potential between donors and disease state of each patient. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory properties of PDLSCs as candidates for new allogeneic stem cell-based therapies. Human PDLSCs displayed cell surface marker characteristics and differentiation potential similar to bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). PDLSCs, BMSSCs, and DPSCs inhibited peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) proliferation stimulated with mitogen or in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Interestingly, gingival fibroblasts (GFs) also suppressed allogeneic PBMNC proliferation under both assay conditions. PDLSCs, BMSSCs, DPSCs, and GFs exhibited non-cell contact dependent suppression of PBMNC proliferation in co-cultures using transwells. Furthermore, conditioned media (CM) derived from each cell type pretreated with IFN-gamma partially suppressed PBMNC proliferation when compared to CMs without IFN-gamma stimulation. In all of these mesenchymal cell types cultured with activated PBMNCs, the expression of TGF-beta1, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) was upregulated while IDO expression was upregulated following stimulation with IFN-gamma. These results suggest that PDLSCs, BMSSCs, DPSCs, and GFs possess immunosuppressive properties mediated, in part, by soluble factors, produced by activated PBMNCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 667-676, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Toxicity of trace metals in soil as affected by soil type and aging after contamination: using calibrated bioavailability models to set ecological soil standards.

Abstract: Total concentrations of metals in soil are poor predictors of toxicity. In the last decade, considerable effort has been made to demonstrate how metal toxicity is affected by the abiotic properties of soil. Here this information is collated and shows how these data have been used in the European Union for defining predicted-no-effect concentrations (PNECs) of Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil. Bioavailability models have been calibrated using data from more than 500 new chronic toxicity tests in soils amended with soluble metal salts, in experimentally aged soils, and in field-contaminated soils. In general, soil pH was a good predictor of metal solubility but a poor predictor of metal toxicity across soils. Toxicity thresholds based on the free metal ion activity were generally more variable than those expressed on total soil metal, which can be explained, but not predicted, using the concept of the biotic ligand model. The toxicity thresholds based on total soil metal concentrations rise almost proportionally to the effective cation exchange capacity of soil. Total soil metal concentrations yielding 10% inhibition in freshly amended soils were up to 100-fold smaller (median 3.4-fold, n = 110 comparative tests) than those in corresponding aged soils or field-contaminated soils. The change in isotopically exchangeable metal in soil proved to be a conservative estimate of the change in toxicity upon aging. The PNEC values for specific soil types were calculated using this information. The corrections for aging and for modifying effects of soil properties in metal-salt-amended soils are shown to be the main factors by which PNEC values rise above the natural background range.

International experience and graduate employability: stakeholder perceptions on the connection

Abstract: This paper reports the findings of an Australian qualitative study (N = 45) concerned with the way that employers, academics and students perceived connections between international experience and graduate employability. Drawing on the literature, the authors argue that increasing globalisation and internationalisation has heightened the need for graduates with the ability to operate in culturally diverse contexts. Universities have focussed upon exchange as part of internationalisation to prepare students for work but there is still limited literature on the nature of the relationship between international experience, more broadly and graduate employability. The findings suggest that all stakeholders identify clear connections between international experience and employability given outcomes associated with the forging of networks, opportunities for experiential learning, language acquisition and the development of soft skills related to cultural understandings, personal characteristics and ways of thinking.