title: Characterization and surface chemical modification of mussel shell: Probing its potential application as a bio-filler in a polymer-shell composite

authors: Xu, Jing

abstract: This work investigated mussel shell's potential as a bio-filler for polypropylene (PP). Micron-scale mussel shells were obtained by ball milling. Both aragonite and calcite were identified in mussel shell through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The aragonite and calcite percentages in mussel shell were estimated with X'Pert Highscore Plus software at 54.9% and 45.1 %, respectively. Mussel shell shows a minimum weight loss (<5 wt%) at temperature below 650°C as revealed by thermogravimetric analyses, indicating it is sufficiently thermally stable for compounding with polypropylene. A better compatibility with hydrophobic PP matrix was achieved by mechanochemical modification of hydrophilic mussel shells using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) alone or in combination with polydopamine (PDA) coating. Inspired by the super-adhesion of mussel foot protein, self-polymerized dopamine deposited a PDA layer on mussel shell particles, which can serve as a bridge between mussel shell and MAPP. XRD analysis indicated that PDA coating did not affect the mussel shell's crystal structure. Both MAPP and PDA/MAPP modified mussel shell showed a higher hydrophobicity according to contact angle measurements. Using the Fowkes model, the surface energy of pristine and modified mussel shells was calculated from contact angle measurement data.The PDA/MAPP­mussel shell exhibits similar surface energies to PP, indicating its surface compatibility with PP when added as a filler. Overall,mussel shell is a promising and sustainable substitute for the mineral CaCO3 as fillers for polymer composites and its properties in mussel shell/ PP composites will be further investigated.

text: Characterization and surface chemical modification of mussel shell: Probing its potential application as a bio-filler in a polymer-shell composite This work investigated mussel shell's potential as a bio-filler for polypropylene (PP). Micron-scale mussel shells were obtained by ball milling. Both aragonite and calcite were identified in mussel shell through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The aragonite and calcite percentages in mussel shell were estimated with X'Pert Highscore Plus software at 54.9% and 45.1 %, respectively. Mussel shell shows a minimum weight loss (<5 wt%) at temperature below 650°C as revealed by thermogravimetric analyses, indicating it is sufficiently thermally stable for compounding with polypropylene. A better compatibility with hydrophobic PP matrix was achieved by mechanochemical modification of hydrophilic mussel shells using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) alone or in combination with polydopamine (PDA) coating. Inspired by the super-adhesion of mussel foot protein, self-polymerized dopamine deposited a PDA layer on mussel shell particles, which can serve as a bridge between mussel shell and MAPP. XRD analysis indicated that PDA coating did not affect the mussel shell's crystal structure. Both MAPP and PDA/MAPP modified mussel shell showed a higher hydrophobicity according to contact angle measurements. Using the Fowkes model, the surface energy of pristine and modified mussel shells was calculated from contact angle measurement data.The PDA/MAPP­mussel shell exhibits similar surface energies to PP, indicating its surface compatibility with PP when added as a filler. Overall,mussel shell is a promising and sustainable substitute for the mineral CaCO3 as fillers for polymer composites and its properties in mussel shell/ PP composites will be further investigated.

year: 2022-11

title: Guidance and ethical considerations for undertaking transgender health research and institutional review boards adjudicating this research.

authors: Adams, Noah

subjects: community participation

abstract: The purpose of this review is to create a set of provisional criteria for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to refer to when assessing the ethical orientation of transgender health research proposals. We began by searching for literature on this topic using databases and the reference lists of key articles, resulting in a preliminary set of criteria. We then collaborated to develop the following nine guidelines: (1) Whenever possible, research should be grounded, from inception to dissemination, in a meaningful collaboration with community stakeholders; (2) language and framing of transgender health research should be non-stigmatizing; (3) research should be disseminated back to the community; (4) the diversity of the transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) community should be accurately reflected and sensitively reflected; (5) informed consent must be meaningful, without coercion or undue influence; (6) the protection of participant confidentiality should be paramount; (7) alternative consent procedures should be considered for TGGD minors; (8) research should align with current professional standards that refute conversion, reorientation, or reparative therapy; and (9) IRBs should guard against the temptation to avoid, limit, or delay research on this subject.

text: Guidance and ethical considerations for undertaking transgender health research and institutional review boards adjudicating this research. The purpose of this review is to create a set of provisional criteria for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to refer to when assessing the ethical orientation of transgender health research proposals. We began by searching for literature on this topic using databases and the reference lists of key articles, resulting in a preliminary set of criteria. We then collaborated to develop the following nine guidelines: (1) Whenever possible, research should be grounded, from inception to dissemination, in a meaningful collaboration with community stakeholders; (2) language and framing of transgender health research should be non-stigmatizing; (3) research should be disseminated back to the community; (4) the diversity of the transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) community should be accurately reflected and sensitively reflected; (5) informed consent must be meaningful, without coercion or undue influence; (6) the protection of participant confidentiality should be paramount; (7) alternative consent procedures should be considered for TGGD minors; (8) research should align with current professional standards that refute conversion, reorientation, or reparative therapy; and (9) IRBs should guard against the temptation to avoid, limit, or delay research on this subject.

year: 2017

title: The relationship between Māori cultural identity loss & rangatahi Māori suicide

authors: Graham, Shaquille

subjects: Māori

abstract: This research explores the relationship between Māori cultural identity loss and rangatahi Māori suicide in Aotearoa. The McLachlan et al. (in press) Whiti Te Rā model of cultural identity was employed to frame the investigation with specific analysis into the six critical cultural ara of Whakapapa, Reo Māori, Taiao, Mahi-a-toi, Take pū whānau and Wairuatanga. A Kaupapa Māori research approach was utilised for cultural applicability and the promotion of Tino Rangatiratanga. Qualitative methodology guided data collection and analysis. Data collection involved (i) literature reviews and (ii) interviews with whānau members of rangatahi lost to suicide, seeking to understand the āhuatanga of the six cultural ara within the case studies (n=5). Interviews were governed by a semi-structured technique that looked to understand (i) the factors influencing the strength or weakness of each cultural ara; (ii) the state of health within each cultural ara; (iii) and identify causal relationships between cultural ara and wellbeing outcome. Reflexive thematic analysis showed that geographical location, generational knowledge transmission, and individual and whānau engagement were the global themes influencing either the diminishing or strengthening of cultural identity. Ngā Ara Wairua and Take pū whānau were also portrayed as the most compromised. The research suggests that optimal access to the three global themes potentiates rangatahi Māori to cultural flourishing and Mauri Ora; proposed as the most significant deterrent for suicidality. Contrastingly, suboptimal access to the three global themes is proposed as diminishing cultural ara as expressed in a state of Mauri Moe, where rangatahi Māori wellbeing is most vulnerable, and where suicidality has the greatest potentiation.

text: The relationship between Māori cultural identity loss & rangatahi Māori suicide This research explores the relationship between Māori cultural identity loss and rangatahi Māori suicide in Aotearoa. The McLachlan et al. (in press) Whiti Te Rā model of cultural identity was employed to frame the investigation with specific analysis into the six critical cultural ara of Whakapapa, Reo Māori, Taiao, Mahi-a-toi, Take pū whānau and Wairuatanga. A Kaupapa Māori research approach was utilised for cultural applicability and the promotion of Tino Rangatiratanga. Qualitative methodology guided data collection and analysis. Data collection involved (i) literature reviews and (ii) interviews with whānau members of rangatahi lost to suicide, seeking to understand the āhuatanga of the six cultural ara within the case studies (n=5). Interviews were governed by a semi-structured technique that looked to understand (i) the factors influencing the strength or weakness of each cultural ara; (ii) the state of health within each cultural ara; (iii) and identify causal relationships between cultural ara and wellbeing outcome. Reflexive thematic analysis showed that geographical location, generational knowledge transmission, and individual and whānau engagement were the global themes influencing either the diminishing or strengthening of cultural identity. Ngā Ara Wairua and Take pū whānau were also portrayed as the most compromised. The research suggests that optimal access to the three global themes potentiates rangatahi Māori to cultural flourishing and Mauri Ora; proposed as the most significant deterrent for suicidality. Contrastingly, suboptimal access to the three global themes is proposed as diminishing cultural ara as expressed in a state of Mauri Moe, where rangatahi Māori wellbeing is most vulnerable, and where suicidality has the greatest potentiation.

year: 2021