ResearchSpace@Auckland
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Oceania humpback whales across the Samoan archipelago: Habitat use and human cultural connections in a recovering population
(ResearchSpace@Auckland, 2024-03) Latu, Rosa-O-Sarona; Constantine, Rochelle; McLean-Orsborn, Sarah; van Dijken, Schannel
Humans have been integrally connected with other animals as they interact in the same environments and contribute to ecosystem function. However, recently people have become more disconnected from nature with a shift to more urban living. As Pacific peoples have endured for thousands of years on islands, relationships between all living beings and with their environment have developed and this knowledge has been handed down inter-generationally.
Historically, there have been strong cultural connections between whales and Pacific peoples in which they are closely tied to Pacific voyaging narratives and seasonal changes. The Oceania region, South Pacific, is a key sub-tropical, austral winter breeding habitat for several sub-populations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). These whales were close to extinction after unsustainable levels of commercial whaling in the 20th century, leading to very few sightings of once abundant whales in Samoan waters.
To understand the relationships between Samoan people and their natural environment; we need to understand the Samoan concept of Vā or the relational time and space between, that mediates people’s relationships with one another and their environments. Across the Pacific region, this close relationship (physical and spiritual) between people and their natural environment has always existed and is essential for their survival and for future generations.
The main aims of this thesis are to 1) examine the cultural connections Samoans have with whales, and 2) examine the spatial distribution and habitat use of humpback whales in Samoa and American Samoa.
Whale Perception Surveys (n = 37) and focused cultural interviews (n = 8) were conducted in the villages Fa’asaleleaga and Palauli, Savai’i to understand Samoan knowledge of whales, threats, protection, and any cultural knowledge held. There was no significant difference in gender or districts when answering questions on their knowledge of cultural stories of whales.
Thematic analysis to identify key themes from the focused interviews revealed common stories such as Nu’usuatia, the village that was dug up by the whale and the man named I’aulualo – both names reflecting the relational understandings Samoans have of place. Only the elders had this cultural knowledge, with no participants under 48 years old aware of these connections between whales and the Samoan people.
I used Standard Deviational Ellipse models to examine differences in spatial distribution of different demographic groups of humpback whales in Samoa and American Samoa. Using long-running cetacean survey data provided by collaborators, all humpback sightings with location and group-structure information were compiled from Samoa (2001 – 2023; n = 95), and American Samoa (2003 – 2019; n = 1306). There were differences in proximity to the islands and dispersion around the islands for different demographic groups, reflecting habitat use requirements.
This research has revealed that the near total loss of humpback whales in Samoa due to whaling, has led to a multi-generational erosion of cultural knowledge of whales held by Samoan people. As the whales slowly increase in number, greater effort to collect systematic data and re-engage people with the whales is important. Redeeming cultural knowledge loss through storytelling and other cultural knowledge devices may aid to remembering these stories and keeping them alive.
Quinolines as Privileged Scaffolds in Metal Complexes: Coordination Chemistry and Anticancer Activity
(ResearchSpace@Auckland, 2024-12-19) Steel, Tasha R; Hartinger, Christian G
Quinoline is considered a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry with many metal complexes containing bidentate 8 hydroxyquinoline (HQ) derived ligands having shown potent antiproliferative activity. Ru, Os, Rh and Ir quinoline based complexes with η6-p-cymene (cym) or η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) π bound ligands were developed here to explore the effect of modifying the ligand systems on reactivity and anticancer properties.
Biotinylated HQ complexes were prepared through chlorido co ligand exchange of [M(cym/Cp*)(HQ)Cl] precursors to explore the potential for improved cancer cell targeting by exploiting sodium dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) overexpression. The complexes readily interacted with N-donor biomolecules, while molecular docking with streptavidin found strong overlaps with the biotin binding site. Potent antiproliferative activity of the Rh complexes was demonstrated, and whilst there was no clear relationship between activity and SMVT expression, the biotinylated compounds showed similar activity in cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cells, and their toxicity toward zebrafish embryos was found to be low.
As an alternative to HQ, complexes containing 8 aminoquinoline (AQH) ligands or deprotonated N bridging AQ ligands were developed. In vitro anticancer activity studies revealed a higher potency for dinuclear AQ containing complexes, which can likely be explained by higher uptake into cancer cells. Significant color changes at a rate determined by the metal center were observed for solutions of the compounds during analysis of mono to dinuclear complex conversion as well as relative stability. Oxidation of the AQH/AQ ligand was identified as a source of the color changes. The complexes did not bind to the 8 mer oligonucleotide, while interaction with peptides was dependent on the presence of L-histidine. Irrespective of the number of metal centers in the complexes, zebrafish embryo studies demonstrated low toxicity for the compound type.
Additionally, an Ir(Cp*)(AQ butyramidato) complex displayed more potent antiproliferative activity than the Ru, Os, and Rh derivatives. As a result, further Ir complexes with AQ functionalized ligands containing either biotin, as a cancer cell vector, or indomethacin, as an anti inflammatory drug unit, were developed with either chlorido or triphenylphosphine co ligands. Molecular docking of the biotinylated complexes indicated a strong interaction with the biotin binding site of streptavidin and was supported by peripheral interactions between the protein and the metal(π bound) portion of the complexes. The metal ion was found to determine antiproliferative activity of the respective AQ butyramidato complexes which suggests that covalent interaction with a target may be involved in the mode of action.
Investigating PI3K inhibitors as antiviral drugs against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
(ResearchSpace@Auckland, 2024-09-01) Watson, Natalie Claire; Netzler, Natalie; Shepherd, Peter
Assembling Papua New Guinea Melanesian Perspectives on Corporate Philanthropic Development Gifting
(ResearchSpace@Auckland, 2024-12-16) Bolinga, Catherina Cathy; Underhill-Sem, Yvonne; Busse, Mark
This thesis explores Indigenous Melanesian ways of gifting and how Papua New Guineans view them in the context of corporate philanthropic gifting for development. I am an Indigenous Papua New Guinea (PNG) Melanesian woman, and I write from that perspective, focusing on the case of the Digicel Foundation in PNG.
I draw on the work of Bernard Narokobi, a PNG philosopher who spoke and wrote about the Melanesian way but not as rigid traditionalism. Instead, he understood Melanesian indigeneity to be engaged with contemporary foreign ways, enabling PNG to function in a globalised world while at the same time grounded in being Melanesian and Papua New Guinean.
I focus on understanding Melanesian ways of gifting, as distinct from corporate philanthropic development gifting, as a way to argue for how development in Melanesia can be enhanced. I engage with relevant literature on gifting and corporate philanthropic giving. I introduce the concept of the assemblage framework, which I use to organise the diverse Melanesian perspectives on gifting. I support my research arguments using various methodological approaches, including the Melanesian yumi tok stori approach. The data collected enabled me to look at the participants' relationships to their places (ples) in PNG and engage with the past and present giftings to provide contexts and understanding of gifting in PNG.
My research found that PNG gifting is about long-term relationships, while corporate gifting, in many cases, is a short-term relationship. Moreover, it is essential to understand the relationships of Indigenous communities from a PNG Melanesian perspective. It is in understanding the relationships through a PNG Melanesian perspective that corporations’ attempt to do development can be achieved. The research showed that most of the 45 participants viewed corporate giving as reciprocity; however, corporate foundations may see reciprocity with the parent company as improving market opportunities for profit-making. Furthermore, the research found an absence of effective state monitoring of non-state entities, so there are opportunities for the government to develop monitoring systems that encourage effective development efforts by all development partners.
Supporting Early Bilingual Development of New Zealand-Chinese Students in Year 1 and Year 2
(ResearchSpace@Auckland, 2024) Wang, Siyi; Erlam, Rosemary
Children’s bilingual development is widely studied and explored by educators and researchers. Many studies investigate children’s bilingual development at different ranges of ages across the world (Gelir, 2023; Paradis & Jia, 2017; MacLeod et al., 2022; Xue et al., 2019; Yazici et al., 2010; Yang, 2021; Zheng, 2009). However, few studies focus on children’s first two years of school life within the context of New Zealand. The aim of this study is to examine how parents and primary school teachers are enhancing New Zealand-Chinese children’s bilingual development in Year 1 and Year 2. This qualitative study adopted semi-structured interviews with parents (n=4) and teachers (n=2) whose children or students were in Year 1 or Year 2, attending schools in Auckland, New Zealand. This study emphasises the role of parents and teachers in supporting children’s bilingual development. Results indicate that both participating parents and teachers acknowledged the importance of Chinese language development. Given the investigation of how the limited number of participants facilitated children’s bilingual development and the challenges they encountered, this study analysed possible ways parents and teachers might be supported to encourage children’s bilingual development. By documenting parents’ and teachers’ voices in regard to their experiences and perspectives on supporting children’s bilingual development, this study contributes to the literature on how children are supported by their parents and teachers to enhance their bilingual development within the context of New Zealand and provides some implications for parents, teachers, and other educational professionals to reflect on improvements.