title: Development of proteinous bioplastics using bloodmeal

authors: Vebeek, Casparus J.R.

subjects: protein

abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the use of bloodmeal as a thermoplastic biopolymer. Processing required water and chemical additives to perform three main functions: breaking covalent cross-links using sodium sulfite (SS), sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea as processing aids, and evaporating some processing water to allow formation of new interactions to stabilize the final structure. Extrusion was only possible in the presence of SS and strongly influenced by water and urea content. It was found that once water had been removed, mechanical properties increased significantly, indicating the formation of new intermolecular forces. SDS was required for processing and consolidation, but, it may restrict formation of new intermolecular forces, if used in excessive quantities. Materials based on optimal additive levels had a tensile strength of 8 MPa, Young’s modulus of 320 MPa and toughness 1.6 MPa m½.

text: Development of proteinous bioplastics using bloodmeal The aim of this work was to investigate the use of bloodmeal as a thermoplastic biopolymer. Processing required water and chemical additives to perform three main functions: breaking covalent cross-links using sodium sulfite (SS), sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea as processing aids, and evaporating some processing water to allow formation of new interactions to stabilize the final structure. Extrusion was only possible in the presence of SS and strongly influenced by water and urea content. It was found that once water had been removed, mechanical properties increased significantly, indicating the formation of new intermolecular forces. SDS was required for processing and consolidation, but, it may restrict formation of new intermolecular forces, if used in excessive quantities. Materials based on optimal additive levels had a tensile strength of 8 MPa, Young’s modulus of 320 MPa and toughness 1.6 MPa m½.

year: 2011

title: Impact of environmental education on beginning preservice teachers’ environmental literacy

authors: Dada, Deborah O.

abstract: One of the goals of environmental education is the development of environ- mental literacy. The development of environmental literacy for preservice teachers is critical if they are to be con dent and competent to deliver envi- ronmental education in schools. Little is known about the impact of envi- ronmental education on preservice teachers’ environmental literacy and their subsequent practices as teachers within schools in New Zealand. This study used a mixed-methods approach with a pretest and posttest design to examine the environmental literacy of preservice teachers enrolled in a compulsory environmental education paper as part of their Bachelor of Teaching program at a New Zealand university. The perceptions of the pre- service teachers’ preparedness to teach environmental education was also examined. Findings indicate that despite only slight shifts in preservice teachers’ environmental literacy, their con dence to teach environmental education signi cantly increased after completing the paper. Increases in the strength of correlations between environmental knowledge and affec- tive dispositions were observed upon completing the environmental edu- cation paper. Implications of ndings for teacher education programs are discussed. This study could inform curriculum design and teaching and learning practices for effectively preparing preservice teachers to promote the development of the environmental literacy of students in their future schools.

text: Impact of environmental education on beginning preservice teachers’ environmental literacy One of the goals of environmental education is the development of environ- mental literacy. The development of environmental literacy for preservice teachers is critical if they are to be con dent and competent to deliver envi- ronmental education in schools. Little is known about the impact of envi- ronmental education on preservice teachers’ environmental literacy and their subsequent practices as teachers within schools in New Zealand. This study used a mixed-methods approach with a pretest and posttest design to examine the environmental literacy of preservice teachers enrolled in a compulsory environmental education paper as part of their Bachelor of Teaching program at a New Zealand university. The perceptions of the pre- service teachers’ preparedness to teach environmental education was also examined. Findings indicate that despite only slight shifts in preservice teachers’ environmental literacy, their con dence to teach environmental education signi cantly increased after completing the paper. Increases in the strength of correlations between environmental knowledge and affec- tive dispositions were observed upon completing the environmental edu- cation paper. Implications of ndings for teacher education programs are discussed. This study could inform curriculum design and teaching and learning practices for effectively preparing preservice teachers to promote the development of the environmental literacy of students in their future schools.

year: 2017

title: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR

authors: Ferris, Kelsey

subjects: eDNA

abstract: Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

text: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

year: 2020