title: Why standardised assessment doesn’t measure up?

authors: Estellés, Marta

abstract: Panel discussion with Dr Marta Estellés, Dr Jade Wrathall, and Lynda Stuart about the moves the Government is making to bring in standardised testing in schools.

The Ministry of Education has issued a tender to purchase a standardised assessment tool for children between Year 3 and 10. We discuss why this policy introduced by stealth is so concerning. Drawing on national and international evidence, we will reflect on the implications of standardised assessment. You will learn why this new policy doesn’t measure up and it is no more than a reboot of National Standards.

text: Why standardised assessment doesn’t measure up? Panel discussion with Dr Marta Estellés, Dr Jade Wrathall, and Lynda Stuart about the moves the Government is making to bring in standardised testing in schools.

The Ministry of Education has issued a tender to purchase a standardised assessment tool for children between Year 3 and 10. We discuss why this policy introduced by stealth is so concerning. Drawing on national and international evidence, we will reflect on the implications of standardised assessment. You will learn why this new policy doesn’t measure up and it is no more than a reboot of National Standards.

year: 2025-05-14

title: Mass spectrometry-directed synthesis of  early–late  sulfide-bridged heterobimetallic complexes from the metalloligand [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] and oxo compounds of vanadium(V), molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI)

authors: Fong, S.W. Audi

subjects: chemistry

abstract: The metalloligand [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] has been found to react with the transition metal oxo compounds, ammonium metavanadate, sodium molybdate, and the actinide complex uranyl nitrate to give sulfide-bridged heterobimetallic complexes [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂VO(OMe)₂]⁺, [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂MoO₂(OMe)]⁺, and [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂UO₂( ₂-NO₃)₂], respectively. Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) was used to probe the reactivity of [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] and thus identify likely targets for isolation and characterization. ESMS has also been used to investigate fragmentation pathways of the new species. No bimetallic species were detected with hydrated La(NO₃)₃or Th(NO₃)₄, or with the lanthanide shift reagent Eu(fod)₃ (fod = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionate). X-Ray crystal structure determinations have been carried out on [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂VO(OMe)₂]⁺, 2, (as its hexafluorophosphate salt) and [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂UO₂( ₂-NO₃)₂], 4. The vanadium atom of 2 has a distorted square pyramidal geometry, while the uranium in 4 has the expected linear dioxo coordination geometry, with two bidentate nitrates and a bidentate {Pt₂S₂} moiety.

text: Mass spectrometry-directed synthesis of  early–late  sulfide-bridged heterobimetallic complexes from the metalloligand [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] and oxo compounds of vanadium(V), molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) The metalloligand [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] has been found to react with the transition metal oxo compounds, ammonium metavanadate, sodium molybdate, and the actinide complex uranyl nitrate to give sulfide-bridged heterobimetallic complexes [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂VO(OMe)₂]⁺, [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂MoO₂(OMe)]⁺, and [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂UO₂( ₂-NO₃)₂], respectively. Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) was used to probe the reactivity of [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ-S)₂] and thus identify likely targets for isolation and characterization. ESMS has also been used to investigate fragmentation pathways of the new species. No bimetallic species were detected with hydrated La(NO₃)₃or Th(NO₃)₄, or with the lanthanide shift reagent Eu(fod)₃ (fod = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionate). X-Ray crystal structure determinations have been carried out on [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂VO(OMe)₂]⁺, 2, (as its hexafluorophosphate salt) and [Pt₂(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-S)₂UO₂( ₂-NO₃)₂], 4. The vanadium atom of 2 has a distorted square pyramidal geometry, while the uranium in 4 has the expected linear dioxo coordination geometry, with two bidentate nitrates and a bidentate {Pt₂S₂} moiety.

year: 2002

title: Indigenous perspectives and gene editing in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Hudson, Maui

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Gene editing is arguably the most significant recent addition to the modern biotechnology toolbox, bringing both profoundly challenging and enabling opportunities. From a technical point of view the specificity and relative simplicity of these new tools has broadened the potential applications. However, from an ethical point of view it has re-ignited the debates generated by earlier forms of genetic modification. In New Zealand gene editing is currently considered genetic modification and is subject to approval processes under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This process requires decision makers to take into account Māori perspectives. This article outlines previously articulated Māori perspectives on genetic modification and considers the continuing influence of those cultural and ethical arguments within the new context of gene editing. It also explores the range of ways cultural values might be used to analyse the risks and benefits of gene editing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Methods used to obtain these perspectives consisted of (a) review of relevant literature regarding lessons learned from the responses of Maori to genetic modification, (b) interviews of selected ‘key Maori informants’ and (c) surveys of self-selected individuals from groups with interests in either genetics or environmental management. The outcomes of this pilot study identified that while Māori informants were not categorically opposed to new and emerging gene editing technologies a priori, they suggest a dynamic approach to regulation is required where specific uses or types of uses are approved on a case by case basis. This study demonstrates how the cultural cues that Māori referenced in the genetic modification debate continue to be relevant in the context of gene editing but that further work is required to characterize the strength of various positions across the broader community.

text: Indigenous perspectives and gene editing in Aotearoa New Zealand Gene editing is arguably the most significant recent addition to the modern biotechnology toolbox, bringing both profoundly challenging and enabling opportunities. From a technical point of view the specificity and relative simplicity of these new tools has broadened the potential applications. However, from an ethical point of view it has re-ignited the debates generated by earlier forms of genetic modification. In New Zealand gene editing is currently considered genetic modification and is subject to approval processes under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This process requires decision makers to take into account Māori perspectives. This article outlines previously articulated Māori perspectives on genetic modification and considers the continuing influence of those cultural and ethical arguments within the new context of gene editing. It also explores the range of ways cultural values might be used to analyse the risks and benefits of gene editing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Methods used to obtain these perspectives consisted of (a) review of relevant literature regarding lessons learned from the responses of Maori to genetic modification, (b) interviews of selected ‘key Maori informants’ and (c) surveys of self-selected individuals from groups with interests in either genetics or environmental management. The outcomes of this pilot study identified that while Māori informants were not categorically opposed to new and emerging gene editing technologies a priori, they suggest a dynamic approach to regulation is required where specific uses or types of uses are approved on a case by case basis. This study demonstrates how the cultural cues that Māori referenced in the genetic modification debate continue to be relevant in the context of gene editing but that further work is required to characterize the strength of various positions across the broader community.

year: 2019