title: Decoloring hemoglobin as a feedstock for second-generation bioplastics

authors: Low, Aaron

subjects: bioplastics

abstract: The color of red blood cell concentrate (RBCC) limits its application in human food, but there is potential to use it for second-generation bioplastics. Several methods have been developed to remove color from RBCC, but they are expensive or may produce difficult-to-remove toxic residues. Hydrogen peroxide treatment is a cheaper alternative. The effects of RBCC concentration, pH, and reaction temperature were the most important factors influencing the decolorizing process. They were investigated with the aim of developing a method that could be scaled to commercial level for producing a bioplastic feedstock. Initial trials showed pH was an important factor for decolorization and foaming. At pH 15 there was a 96% reduction in solution color and 8.4% solids were lost due to foaming. There was a 76% reduction in solution color at pH 2 and only 2.6% solids were lost due to foaming. The optimal reaction conditions were to centrifuge 9% w/w, pH 2 aqueous RBCC solution to remove aggregates. The solution was reacted at 30°C with 7.5 g of 30% (w/w) hydrogen peroxide. These conditions achieved a 93% reduction in solution color after 3 hr and the molecular weight of the decolored protein was not significantly reduced.

text: Decoloring hemoglobin as a feedstock for second-generation bioplastics The color of red blood cell concentrate (RBCC) limits its application in human food, but there is potential to use it for second-generation bioplastics. Several methods have been developed to remove color from RBCC, but they are expensive or may produce difficult-to-remove toxic residues. Hydrogen peroxide treatment is a cheaper alternative. The effects of RBCC concentration, pH, and reaction temperature were the most important factors influencing the decolorizing process. They were investigated with the aim of developing a method that could be scaled to commercial level for producing a bioplastic feedstock. Initial trials showed pH was an important factor for decolorization and foaming. At pH 15 there was a 96% reduction in solution color and 8.4% solids were lost due to foaming. There was a 76% reduction in solution color at pH 2 and only 2.6% solids were lost due to foaming. The optimal reaction conditions were to centrifuge 9% w/w, pH 2 aqueous RBCC solution to remove aggregates. The solution was reacted at 30°C with 7.5 g of 30% (w/w) hydrogen peroxide. These conditions achieved a 93% reduction in solution color after 3 hr and the molecular weight of the decolored protein was not significantly reduced.

year: 2012

title: Beliefs About Academic Self-Efficacy: Filipino Children, Their Teachers, and Parents

authors: Torres, Natalie Noelle

subjects: self-efficacy

abstract: The belief an individual has of his/her ability to bring about a desired outcome is the main essence of the construct of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977). Its influence and effects on human functioning has been the subject of numerous studies. Self-efficacy is considered to be one of the psychological constructs of great value in ensuring a child’s success in school (Rumain, 2010), as it influences several aspects of behavior important to learning (Lorsbach & Jinks, 1999). For immigrant youth, their academic outcomes are important markers of their future social and economic mobility (Suarez-Orozco, Onaga, & Lardemelle, 2010). With self-efficacy a firmly established predictor of academic performance and future achievement, the development of stable beliefs of capabilities helps migrant children to navigate the school experience in their new country of residence.
As migration is an established phenomenon in Philippine development (Orbeta & Abrigo, 2011), gathering empirical data on the experiences of migrant Filipino children will facilitate a better understanding of their new life abroad. Entering a new educational system is part of the immigrant experience. The purpose of this current study was to describe the academic self-efficacy of Filipino migrant children and their experiences in a New Zealand school that had influenced their views of their academic capabilities. The parents and teachers of the children are included to present their understanding of the migrant Filipino child’s self-efficacy. 
To gain a clear understanding of the self-efficacy of the migrant Filipino child, three cases comprised of the child, the parent/s, and the teacher were selected through purposive sampling. Following a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant and data was analyzed through an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis or IPA. 
For migrant Filipino children, their parents and their teachers, academic self-efficacy is equated with the amount of effort exerted into the accomplishment of learning goals. Feedback from significant people also influenced the beliefs children have of their abilities in school. The children’s views of their academic self-efficacy were only indirectly influenced by migration through the language adjustment they had to overcome. The parents and teachers contribute to the children’s belies of self-efficacy by providing a safe and supportive environment that affirms the children’s efforts.

text: Beliefs About Academic Self-Efficacy: Filipino Children, Their Teachers, and Parents The belief an individual has of his/her ability to bring about a desired outcome is the main essence of the construct of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977). Its influence and effects on human functioning has been the subject of numerous studies. Self-efficacy is considered to be one of the psychological constructs of great value in ensuring a child’s success in school (Rumain, 2010), as it influences several aspects of behavior important to learning (Lorsbach & Jinks, 1999). For immigrant youth, their academic outcomes are important markers of their future social and economic mobility (Suarez-Orozco, Onaga, & Lardemelle, 2010). With self-efficacy a firmly established predictor of academic performance and future achievement, the development of stable beliefs of capabilities helps migrant children to navigate the school experience in their new country of residence.
As migration is an established phenomenon in Philippine development (Orbeta & Abrigo, 2011), gathering empirical data on the experiences of migrant Filipino children will facilitate a better understanding of their new life abroad. Entering a new educational system is part of the immigrant experience. The purpose of this current study was to describe the academic self-efficacy of Filipino migrant children and their experiences in a New Zealand school that had influenced their views of their academic capabilities. The parents and teachers of the children are included to present their understanding of the migrant Filipino child’s self-efficacy. 
To gain a clear understanding of the self-efficacy of the migrant Filipino child, three cases comprised of the child, the parent/s, and the teacher were selected through purposive sampling. Following a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant and data was analyzed through an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis or IPA. 
For migrant Filipino children, their parents and their teachers, academic self-efficacy is equated with the amount of effort exerted into the accomplishment of learning goals. Feedback from significant people also influenced the beliefs children have of their abilities in school. The children’s views of their academic self-efficacy were only indirectly influenced by migration through the language adjustment they had to overcome. The parents and teachers contribute to the children’s belies of self-efficacy by providing a safe and supportive environment that affirms the children’s efforts.

year: 2015

title: Transformation and visual arts: Donn Rātana in conversation with Claire Coleman

authors: Coleman, Claire

abstract: Interviewed by colleague and friend Claire Coleman, Donn Rātana recounts the creationof  various artworks, his interest in the concept of transformation and his approach to artmaking.A full-time artist and part-time art educator, Donn’s approach to life and work (which is also life) is:
•developing positive relationships
•valuing individual’s contribution to ‘life’
•fanning the ashes of the creative process
•manaakitanga

text: Transformation and visual arts: Donn Rātana in conversation with Claire Coleman Interviewed by colleague and friend Claire Coleman, Donn Rātana recounts the creationof  various artworks, his interest in the concept of transformation and his approach to artmaking.A full-time artist and part-time art educator, Donn’s approach to life and work (which is also life) is:
•developing positive relationships
•valuing individual’s contribution to ‘life’
•fanning the ashes of the creative process
•manaakitanga

year: 2022