title: Synthesis and biological activity of platinum(II) and palladium(II) thiosalicylate complexes with mixed ancillary donor ligands

authors: Henderson, William

subjects: Chemistry

abstract: A series of mixed-ligand thiosalicylate complexes of the type [ M(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)L] (M = Pt, L = pyridine (py), 4-methylpyridine, imidazole, 4-picolinic acid hydrazide {C5H4N[C(O)NHNH2]-4}; M = Pd, L = pyridine) have been prepared by the one-pot reaction of [PtCl2(cod)] or [PdCl2(cod)] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) with one equivalent of PPh3 and thiosalicylic acid (HSC6H4CO2H) in the presence of the nitrogen base. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(py)] and the previously reported complex [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(XyNC)] (Xy = 2,6-xylyl) indicates that the complexes have different geometries, though in each case the two ligands of highest trans-influence are mutually cis. The reaction of [PtCl2(cod)] with PPh3, thiosalicylic acid and ammonia led to the isolation of crystals of the dinuclear thiosalicylate-bridged complex [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(NH3)P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)], which was characterised by X-ray crystallography and electrospray mass spectrometry. The conformation of the thiosalicylate ligand can vary widely with values for the dihedral angle between the ligand plane and the platinum(II) coordination plane varying from 12.4° to 70.9° in the seven complexes so far determined. The biological activities of selected platinum and palladium thiosalicylate and related complexes against P388 leukemia cells, bacteria and fungi are also reported. The complex [P t(SCH2CO 2)(PPh3)2] shows the highest activity against P388 cells (IC50 671 ng mL-1).

text: Synthesis and biological activity of platinum(II) and palladium(II) thiosalicylate complexes with mixed ancillary donor ligands A series of mixed-ligand thiosalicylate complexes of the type [ M(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)L] (M = Pt, L = pyridine (py), 4-methylpyridine, imidazole, 4-picolinic acid hydrazide {C5H4N[C(O)NHNH2]-4}; M = Pd, L = pyridine) have been prepared by the one-pot reaction of [PtCl2(cod)] or [PdCl2(cod)] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) with one equivalent of PPh3 and thiosalicylic acid (HSC6H4CO2H) in the presence of the nitrogen base. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(py)] and the previously reported complex [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(XyNC)] (Xy = 2,6-xylyl) indicates that the complexes have different geometries, though in each case the two ligands of highest trans-influence are mutually cis. The reaction of [PtCl2(cod)] with PPh3, thiosalicylic acid and ammonia led to the isolation of crystals of the dinuclear thiosalicylate-bridged complex [P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)(NH3)P t(SC6H4CO 2)(PPh3)], which was characterised by X-ray crystallography and electrospray mass spectrometry. The conformation of the thiosalicylate ligand can vary widely with values for the dihedral angle between the ligand plane and the platinum(II) coordination plane varying from 12.4° to 70.9° in the seven complexes so far determined. The biological activities of selected platinum and palladium thiosalicylate and related complexes against P388 leukemia cells, bacteria and fungi are also reported. The complex [P t(SCH2CO 2)(PPh3)2] shows the highest activity against P388 cells (IC50 671 ng mL-1).

year: 2000-01-01

title: ‘Rise of ram raiders’: A foucauldian discourse analysis exploring media representations of collective youth crime in New Zealand media, 2019-2023.

authors: Ali, Aliyah

subjects: Youth

abstract: Over the past several years, there has been media commotion about the term ram raids and the escalation it has brought to youth crimes. Whilst there have been media claims towards increasing youth crime numbers and speculation from mainstream media about ram raiders’ involvement in crime; the statistical evidence seems to state otherwise. The media is a powerful institution that can lead to constructing discourses that can influence the attitudes of the general public and in turn lead to various policy changes. Ram raiders are presented in the media through predominantly negative narratives and have increased discussions in regard to controlling the youth from ram-raiding behaviour. There currently is no research that directly examines the discourses of youth ram raiders in New Zealand media. Therefore, this thesis will use a Foucauldian discursive approach to analyse the representation of the term ram raiders in newspaper articles in New Zealand media, and the consequences that arise as a result of such discourses. The results showed that there were three discourses identified: the criminal discourse, the outsiders discourse, and the moral panic discourse, alongside a competing discourse of youth as victims. The criminal discourse was identified as the dominant discourse which emphasises youth committing ram raids as an individualised issue. The outsiders discourse was supported by the criminal discourse and linked ram raiders to gang members and ethnic minorities further creating an us vs them rhetoric. Moral panic was a discourse that emphasised the power held by the media as the publications reached an extensive audience presenting ram raiders as criminals and outsiders creating a moral panic in public. A competing discourse was identified with ram raiders being presented as the victims shown to be a necessary addition to the conversation. It provided an alternative perspective that challenged the dominant discourse to allow for a well-rounded representation of the ram raiders. Further discursive practices represented the positionality of public and political figures leading to the punishment of young people participating in ram raids.

text: ‘Rise of ram raiders’: A foucauldian discourse analysis exploring media representations of collective youth crime in New Zealand media, 2019-2023. Over the past several years, there has been media commotion about the term ram raids and the escalation it has brought to youth crimes. Whilst there have been media claims towards increasing youth crime numbers and speculation from mainstream media about ram raiders’ involvement in crime; the statistical evidence seems to state otherwise. The media is a powerful institution that can lead to constructing discourses that can influence the attitudes of the general public and in turn lead to various policy changes. Ram raiders are presented in the media through predominantly negative narratives and have increased discussions in regard to controlling the youth from ram-raiding behaviour. There currently is no research that directly examines the discourses of youth ram raiders in New Zealand media. Therefore, this thesis will use a Foucauldian discursive approach to analyse the representation of the term ram raiders in newspaper articles in New Zealand media, and the consequences that arise as a result of such discourses. The results showed that there were three discourses identified: the criminal discourse, the outsiders discourse, and the moral panic discourse, alongside a competing discourse of youth as victims. The criminal discourse was identified as the dominant discourse which emphasises youth committing ram raids as an individualised issue. The outsiders discourse was supported by the criminal discourse and linked ram raiders to gang members and ethnic minorities further creating an us vs them rhetoric. Moral panic was a discourse that emphasised the power held by the media as the publications reached an extensive audience presenting ram raiders as criminals and outsiders creating a moral panic in public. A competing discourse was identified with ram raiders being presented as the victims shown to be a necessary addition to the conversation. It provided an alternative perspective that challenged the dominant discourse to allow for a well-rounded representation of the ram raiders. Further discursive practices represented the positionality of public and political figures leading to the punishment of young people participating in ram raids.

year: 2024

title: Haumanu Hauora: refining public health institution policy to include Māori and climate change

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The deepening climate crisis generates specific impacts that will exacerbate the already disproportionately negative health outcomes experienced by Indigenous people. Disparate health outcomes have not spontaneously emerged, but rather have been foreshadowed by existing inequities. This article summarizes a sample of the work from a two-year research project in Aotearoa New Zealand to understand existing policy processes and ascertain the extent to which health institutions give serious consideration to climate change impacts on Māori (Indigenous people) with health vulnerabilities. Speaking to tāngata whenua (Indigenous Māori), District Health Board (DHB) employees, and subject matter experts (SMEs), it was clear that policy processes were ad hoc and problematically silenced consistent Māori input. While research participants expressed their experiences of, and aspirations for, dealing with climate change, their voices were not evident in DHB policy development processes. The deficit within existing policy process reflects a lack of preparedness in the face of climate change. Despite clear resilience and adaptation strategies, structural change is needed to address identified disadvantages. Through a co-designed policy framework (“Haumanu Hauora”), we guide policy formation to mitigate climate change risk to Māori (and others). Central to the revised policy framework is the creation of space for both internal and external Māori voices to ensure consistent Māori input throughout the policy process. We also introduce a commissioning, refining, and monitoring stage (that includes evaluation). Haumanu Hauora considers whānau-centered healthcare knowledge, needs, resources, and aspirations, to contribute to a transformed and responsive health system. Above all, we believe that strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs is essential.

text: Haumanu Hauora: refining public health institution policy to include Māori and climate change The deepening climate crisis generates specific impacts that will exacerbate the already disproportionately negative health outcomes experienced by Indigenous people. Disparate health outcomes have not spontaneously emerged, but rather have been foreshadowed by existing inequities. This article summarizes a sample of the work from a two-year research project in Aotearoa New Zealand to understand existing policy processes and ascertain the extent to which health institutions give serious consideration to climate change impacts on Māori (Indigenous people) with health vulnerabilities. Speaking to tāngata whenua (Indigenous Māori), District Health Board (DHB) employees, and subject matter experts (SMEs), it was clear that policy processes were ad hoc and problematically silenced consistent Māori input. While research participants expressed their experiences of, and aspirations for, dealing with climate change, their voices were not evident in DHB policy development processes. The deficit within existing policy process reflects a lack of preparedness in the face of climate change. Despite clear resilience and adaptation strategies, structural change is needed to address identified disadvantages. Through a co-designed policy framework (“Haumanu Hauora”), we guide policy formation to mitigate climate change risk to Māori (and others). Central to the revised policy framework is the creation of space for both internal and external Māori voices to ensure consistent Māori input throughout the policy process. We also introduce a commissioning, refining, and monitoring stage (that includes evaluation). Haumanu Hauora considers whānau-centered healthcare knowledge, needs, resources, and aspirations, to contribute to a transformed and responsive health system. Above all, we believe that strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs is essential.

year: 2023-05-05