title: Synthesis and structural characterisation of the lead–platinum sulfido aggregates [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbX₂] (X = Br, I); promotion of rare tetrahedral geometry for lead(II)

authors: Henderson, William

subjects: platinum complexes

abstract: The reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with excess PbBr₂ or PbI₂ in methanolic suspension result in the formation of the neutral lead(II) halide adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbX₂] (X = Br, I). The X-ray structure determination of the lead iodide adduct reveals an essentially tetrahedral lead(II) centre, which is a rare coordination geometry for lead(II), which almost invariably is hemidirected, with a stereochemically active lone pair. In contrast, the structure of the PbBr2 adduct, although suffering from some disorder, shows a more typical, distorted arrangement of ligands; these results are discussed in terms of the tendency for soft, bulky ligands to promote symmetric, holodirected geometries. The ESI mass spectra of the adducts are reported, and yield [M−halide]⁺ ions.

text: Synthesis and structural characterisation of the lead–platinum sulfido aggregates [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbX₂] (X = Br, I); promotion of rare tetrahedral geometry for lead(II) The reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with excess PbBr₂ or PbI₂ in methanolic suspension result in the formation of the neutral lead(II) halide adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PbX₂] (X = Br, I). The X-ray structure determination of the lead iodide adduct reveals an essentially tetrahedral lead(II) centre, which is a rare coordination geometry for lead(II), which almost invariably is hemidirected, with a stereochemically active lone pair. In contrast, the structure of the PbBr2 adduct, although suffering from some disorder, shows a more typical, distorted arrangement of ligands; these results are discussed in terms of the tendency for soft, bulky ligands to promote symmetric, holodirected geometries. The ESI mass spectra of the adducts are reported, and yield [M−halide]⁺ ions.

year: 2010-05-05

title: A comparison of free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and concurrent schedule preference assessment methods for evaluating food preference

authors: Bates, Nicole

abstract: Outcomes from three preference assessment methods were examined in a study of food preference with goats. The methods used were: free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and a concurrent schedule analysis. Results from each method were compared, in terms of the preference ranking they produced. Two male goats, one domesticated wild goat and one Saanen, were used as subjects in this study. Each method yielded similar results, although the concurrent schedule test provided more comprehensive information than either of the other methods. There was moderate agreement between the multiple stimulus without replacement and the concurrent schedule tests, however the free access procedure identified only the two most highly preferred items and provided limited information on preference level of the remaining food items. Five foods were tested in this experiment, all of different texture and composition – crushed maize, sheep and goat pellets, chopped lucerne, lucerne haylage, and timothy and lucerne haylage. During the free access, goats were given unrestricted access to a particular food for 12 seconds. During the multiple stimulus without replacement, goats were presented with all five foods simultaneously and allowed to make one choice. Once the subject had selected a food by pressing the respective cover with their muzzle, that cover was removed to allow access to that food only. When the subject stopped eating, the cover was replaced - subjects could then select another food. This process was repeated until either all five feeds had been sampled or goats had not made contact with any covers for fifteen seconds. The concurrent schedule test involved making two foods available concurrently. Food delivery was determined by a VI 60s schedule and controlled by a computer software program that was linked to the apparatus. The assessment procedure was arranged so that each food was tested alongside every other food. Data was analysed in terms of the proportion of time and responses allocated to each food. Proportion of time and responses varied considerably depending on the food that was available concurrently.

text: A comparison of free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and concurrent schedule preference assessment methods for evaluating food preference Outcomes from three preference assessment methods were examined in a study of food preference with goats. The methods used were: free access, multiple stimulus without replacement, and a concurrent schedule analysis. Results from each method were compared, in terms of the preference ranking they produced. Two male goats, one domesticated wild goat and one Saanen, were used as subjects in this study. Each method yielded similar results, although the concurrent schedule test provided more comprehensive information than either of the other methods. There was moderate agreement between the multiple stimulus without replacement and the concurrent schedule tests, however the free access procedure identified only the two most highly preferred items and provided limited information on preference level of the remaining food items. Five foods were tested in this experiment, all of different texture and composition – crushed maize, sheep and goat pellets, chopped lucerne, lucerne haylage, and timothy and lucerne haylage. During the free access, goats were given unrestricted access to a particular food for 12 seconds. During the multiple stimulus without replacement, goats were presented with all five foods simultaneously and allowed to make one choice. Once the subject had selected a food by pressing the respective cover with their muzzle, that cover was removed to allow access to that food only. When the subject stopped eating, the cover was replaced - subjects could then select another food. This process was repeated until either all five feeds had been sampled or goats had not made contact with any covers for fifteen seconds. The concurrent schedule test involved making two foods available concurrently. Food delivery was determined by a VI 60s schedule and controlled by a computer software program that was linked to the apparatus. The assessment procedure was arranged so that each food was tested alongside every other food. Data was analysed in terms of the proportion of time and responses allocated to each food. Proportion of time and responses varied considerably depending on the food that was available concurrently.

year: 2018

title: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes

authors: Beaton, Angela

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

text: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

year: 2019