title: Evaluating biochar and fungi for the remediation of PFAS in landfill leachates.

authors: Chauhan, Rushirajsinh

abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become widespread environmental 
contaminants, often detected in various ecosystems, including waterways, and found in 
numerous products such as cosmetics. In New Zealand, PFAS contamination poses a 
significant risk to both environmental and human health. This study works towards developing 
an innovative PFAS removal technology utilizing biochar to adsorb PFAS and fungi to degrade 
PFAS. The work was broken into several stages, the first finding suitable growing conditions 
for fungi on biochar and attempting to quantify the growth, the second examining biochar 
adsorption properties, first with humic acid and the second with PFAS. Three different types 
of fungi, Oyster, Shiitake, and Pekepeke (native to New Zealand), were cultivated on biochar 
and substrates made from woodchips and other organic materials. Growth was best on a 
combination of biochar and woodchip. The chloroform fumigation method showed that the 
oyster/biochar culture had a growth of 17.6 mg/g/day, while shitake/biochar was 14.6 mg/g/day 
and the oyster/biochar/woodchip had a growth of 20.7 mg/g/day.
Biochar had a low adsorption capacity (5 mg/g) and affinity for humic acid. The Freundlich 
isotherm gave a marginally better fit to adsorption data than the Langmuir and SIPS isotherms. 
The low adsorption was due to both humic acid and biochar having predominantly negative 
charges, biochar had a surface charge of 0.824 mM -ve charges/g biochar, six times that of dry 
soil which has a surface charge of 0.125 mM/g soil. Biochar was tested for its ability to adsorb 
three species of PFAS (PFBSA, PFHexA, PHHepA). Under the environmentally relevant 
PFAS concentration ranges tested, biochar adsorbed all of the PFAS, resulting in no PFAS 
being able to be detected in solution. PFAS adsorption to the biochar is predominantly by 
hydrogen bonding

text: Evaluating biochar and fungi for the remediation of PFAS in landfill leachates. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become widespread environmental 
contaminants, often detected in various ecosystems, including waterways, and found in 
numerous products such as cosmetics. In New Zealand, PFAS contamination poses a 
significant risk to both environmental and human health. This study works towards developing 
an innovative PFAS removal technology utilizing biochar to adsorb PFAS and fungi to degrade 
PFAS. The work was broken into several stages, the first finding suitable growing conditions 
for fungi on biochar and attempting to quantify the growth, the second examining biochar 
adsorption properties, first with humic acid and the second with PFAS. Three different types 
of fungi, Oyster, Shiitake, and Pekepeke (native to New Zealand), were cultivated on biochar 
and substrates made from woodchips and other organic materials. Growth was best on a 
combination of biochar and woodchip. The chloroform fumigation method showed that the 
oyster/biochar culture had a growth of 17.6 mg/g/day, while shitake/biochar was 14.6 mg/g/day 
and the oyster/biochar/woodchip had a growth of 20.7 mg/g/day.
Biochar had a low adsorption capacity (5 mg/g) and affinity for humic acid. The Freundlich 
isotherm gave a marginally better fit to adsorption data than the Langmuir and SIPS isotherms. 
The low adsorption was due to both humic acid and biochar having predominantly negative 
charges, biochar had a surface charge of 0.824 mM -ve charges/g biochar, six times that of dry 
soil which has a surface charge of 0.125 mM/g soil. Biochar was tested for its ability to adsorb 
three species of PFAS (PFBSA, PFHexA, PHHepA). Under the environmentally relevant 
PFAS concentration ranges tested, biochar adsorbed all of the PFAS, resulting in no PFAS 
being able to be detected in solution. PFAS adsorption to the biochar is predominantly by 
hydrogen bonding

year: 2024-10-20

title: Exposure to negative LGBT-related media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people in Malaysia

authors: Tan, Kyle K. H.

subjects: media

abstract: Introduction
Media dissemination of anti-LGBT+ sentiments is commonplace in Malaysia. This study examines the prevalence of negative media exposure among LGBT+ people in Malaysia, the association between negative media exposure and mental health outcomes, and the role of negative future expectations for societal unacceptance as a mediator of the association.

Method
Drawing data from a cross-sectional survey of Malaysia-based LGBT+ adults (n = 675; mean age = 27.78), we conducted a series of regression and mediation analyses to determine whether exposure to negative media messages was predictive of heightened levels of negative future expectations, depression, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality.

Results
More than two-thirds (76%) saw negative LGBT-related messages regularly on newspapers, television, and social media in the past year. Frequent exposure of negative messages on media platforms was positively associated with depression, NSSI, and suicidal ideation. Negative future expectations partially mediated the relationship between exposure to negative messages and mental health outcomes.

Conclusions
The study highlights the role of negative media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people. The findings call for a multi-level intervention to mobilize members in government sectors, healthcare settings, and academic institutions to discern and actively challenge disinformation targeting LGBT+ communities.

text: Exposure to negative LGBT-related media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people in Malaysia Introduction
Media dissemination of anti-LGBT+ sentiments is commonplace in Malaysia. This study examines the prevalence of negative media exposure among LGBT+ people in Malaysia, the association between negative media exposure and mental health outcomes, and the role of negative future expectations for societal unacceptance as a mediator of the association.

Method
Drawing data from a cross-sectional survey of Malaysia-based LGBT+ adults (n = 675; mean age = 27.78), we conducted a series of regression and mediation analyses to determine whether exposure to negative media messages was predictive of heightened levels of negative future expectations, depression, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality.

Results
More than two-thirds (76%) saw negative LGBT-related messages regularly on newspapers, television, and social media in the past year. Frequent exposure of negative messages on media platforms was positively associated with depression, NSSI, and suicidal ideation. Negative future expectations partially mediated the relationship between exposure to negative messages and mental health outcomes.

Conclusions
The study highlights the role of negative media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people. The findings call for a multi-level intervention to mobilize members in government sectors, healthcare settings, and academic institutions to discern and actively challenge disinformation targeting LGBT+ communities.

year: 2025

title: “We wanted to see if you were the real deal”: Teaching as a cultural practice in a challenging environment

authors: Lemon, Katrina Suezanne

abstract: Teaching can be viewed as a cultural practice in which teaching is embedded in the culture of the teacher and informed by the culture of the students (Bell, 2011). In this paper, a narrative is presented detailing an authentic example of teaching in New Zealand in which culture is prioritised. It describes the challenges faced by a young female teacher as she worked in a low decile secondary school with male students, the majority of whom were involved in the Mongrel Mob[1] gang. Her approach and responses were centred in her belief in culturally responsive teaching. The deliberate actions of the teacher led to a turning point for the students, allowing their mana to remain intact as she acknowledged their identity, language and culture. This teacher’s experience provides an example of how a teacher can enable learners in diverse classrooms to succeed in their learning.

text: “We wanted to see if you were the real deal”: Teaching as a cultural practice in a challenging environment Teaching can be viewed as a cultural practice in which teaching is embedded in the culture of the teacher and informed by the culture of the students (Bell, 2011). In this paper, a narrative is presented detailing an authentic example of teaching in New Zealand in which culture is prioritised. It describes the challenges faced by a young female teacher as she worked in a low decile secondary school with male students, the majority of whom were involved in the Mongrel Mob[1] gang. Her approach and responses were centred in her belief in culturally responsive teaching. The deliberate actions of the teacher led to a turning point for the students, allowing their mana to remain intact as she acknowledged their identity, language and culture. This teacher’s experience provides an example of how a teacher can enable learners in diverse classrooms to succeed in their learning.

year: 2017