title: A Computer-Based Interactive Multimedia Training CD-ROM for Novice Drivers in New Zealand

authors: Isler, Robert B.

subjects: interactive multimedia training

abstract: This paper will describe the psychological and educational rationales behind the development of a computer-based interactive multimedia training CD-ROM (‘CD-DRIVES’) that will be made available to all novice drivers in New Zealand at no cost to the individual. Novice drivers are lacking in crucial higher level driving skills such as eye scanning, hazard detection and risk management. More than 70 real-life traffic simulations allow these drivers to practice such skills from the safety of their own homes.

text: A Computer-Based Interactive Multimedia Training CD-ROM for Novice Drivers in New Zealand This paper will describe the psychological and educational rationales behind the development of a computer-based interactive multimedia training CD-ROM (‘CD-DRIVES’) that will be made available to all novice drivers in New Zealand at no cost to the individual. Novice drivers are lacking in crucial higher level driving skills such as eye scanning, hazard detection and risk management. More than 70 real-life traffic simulations allow these drivers to practice such skills from the safety of their own homes.

year: 2003

title: The effect of warming temperatures on the physiology and behaviour of pollinating insects

authors: Devenish, René

subjects: Climate change

abstract: Pollination is an important ecosystem service for both agricultural and natural systems. However, climate change is driving changes in the delivery of pollination services. One of the main influencing factors of climate change is rising temperatures. Most research on this issue has focused on phenological shifts (resulting in temporal mismatches between pollinators and plants), while the influence of warming on insect pollinator metabolism and pollination behaviour has not received equal attention. My research aims to fill both gaps by first testing if pollinator metabolism scales with temperature in pollinator body size according to the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE). The MTE aims to explain a range of biological patterns and processes based on the underlying energetic constraints of organisms arising from metabolism. These constraints are primarily dependent on organismal body size and temperature, making the MTE highly relevant for predicting the impacts of warming on pollinating insects. Secondly, I tested if differences in air temperature can change pollinator foraging behaviour and if it can influence how pollinators alter their foraging behaviour in response to predation risk. I experimentally studied the patterns of foraging behaviour and metabolic scaling in four different pollinator species, Apis mellifera (honeybee), Bombus terrestris (bumblebee), Eristalis tenax (drone fly), and Lucilia sericata (blow fly) across a range of temperatures that represent a rise in average and maximum temperatures across New Zealand. My findings suggested that the MTE predictions only hold for certain species and only for the temperature-metabolism relationship for all species combined. Thus, the MTE may not be adequate for predicting the full impacts of warming on insect pollinators without further development, but the underlying theory itself still has uses in providing us with information on species-specific temperature sensitivities. Furthermore, I discovered that temperature and predation risk both affect insect pollinator behaviour, though not interactively, suggesting that warming will alter insect pollinator foraging behaviour, but not in concert with predation risk. In summary, this thesis provides meaningful insights into individual and species-level responses of pollinator behaviour and physiology to climate warming and the potential consequences for future pollination services.

text: The effect of warming temperatures on the physiology and behaviour of pollinating insects Pollination is an important ecosystem service for both agricultural and natural systems. However, climate change is driving changes in the delivery of pollination services. One of the main influencing factors of climate change is rising temperatures. Most research on this issue has focused on phenological shifts (resulting in temporal mismatches between pollinators and plants), while the influence of warming on insect pollinator metabolism and pollination behaviour has not received equal attention. My research aims to fill both gaps by first testing if pollinator metabolism scales with temperature in pollinator body size according to the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE). The MTE aims to explain a range of biological patterns and processes based on the underlying energetic constraints of organisms arising from metabolism. These constraints are primarily dependent on organismal body size and temperature, making the MTE highly relevant for predicting the impacts of warming on pollinating insects. Secondly, I tested if differences in air temperature can change pollinator foraging behaviour and if it can influence how pollinators alter their foraging behaviour in response to predation risk. I experimentally studied the patterns of foraging behaviour and metabolic scaling in four different pollinator species, Apis mellifera (honeybee), Bombus terrestris (bumblebee), Eristalis tenax (drone fly), and Lucilia sericata (blow fly) across a range of temperatures that represent a rise in average and maximum temperatures across New Zealand. My findings suggested that the MTE predictions only hold for certain species and only for the temperature-metabolism relationship for all species combined. Thus, the MTE may not be adequate for predicting the full impacts of warming on insect pollinators without further development, but the underlying theory itself still has uses in providing us with information on species-specific temperature sensitivities. Furthermore, I discovered that temperature and predation risk both affect insect pollinator behaviour, though not interactively, suggesting that warming will alter insect pollinator foraging behaviour, but not in concert with predation risk. In summary, this thesis provides meaningful insights into individual and species-level responses of pollinator behaviour and physiology to climate warming and the potential consequences for future pollination services.

year: 2022

title: Outcomes from colonoscopy following referral from New Zealand general practice: a retrospective analysis

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background: New Zealand has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but poor outcomes. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed following referral from general practice, where a general practitioner (GP) assesses symptoms according to national guidelines. All referred patients are then re-prioritised by the hospital system. The first objective of this study was to identify what proportion of patients referred by general practice to surgical/gastroenterology at Waikato District Health Board (DHB) had a colonoscopy. The second objective was to determine what proportion of these referrals have an underlying CRC and the factors associated with the likelihood of this diagnosis. 
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of e-referral data for patients aged 30–70+ who were referred from 75 general practices to general surgery, gastroenterology or direct to colonoscopy at Waikato DHB, 01 January 2015–31 December 2017. Primary and secondary outcome measures included the proportion and characteristics of patients who were having colonoscopy, and of those, who were diagnosed with CRC. Data were analysed using chi square and logistic regression. 
Results: 6718/20648 (32.5%) patients had a colonoscopy and 372 (5.5%) of these were diagnosed with CRC. The probability of having CRC following a colonoscopy increased with age (p value < 0.001). Females (p value < 0.001), non-Māori (p value < 0.001), and patients with a high suspicion of cancer (HSCan) label originating from their GP were more likely to have a colonoscopy, while the odds ratio of Māori having a colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.60–0.73). The odds ratio of a CRC diagnosis following colonoscopy was 1.67 (95% CI 1.35–2.07) for men compared to women, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.70–3.22) for those with a GP HSCan label. Of the 585 patients referred with a GP HSCan, 423 (72.3%) were reprioritised by the hospital and 55 patients had their diagnosis unnecessarily delayed. 
Conclusions: If a GP refers a patient with an HSCan, and the patient receives a colonoscopy, then the likelihood of having CRC is almost 15.0%. This would suggest that these patients should be routinely prioritised without further triage by the hospital. Further research is needed to understand why Māori are less likely to receive a colonoscopy following referral from general practice.

text: Outcomes from colonoscopy following referral from New Zealand general practice: a retrospective analysis Background: New Zealand has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but poor outcomes. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed following referral from general practice, where a general practitioner (GP) assesses symptoms according to national guidelines. All referred patients are then re-prioritised by the hospital system. The first objective of this study was to identify what proportion of patients referred by general practice to surgical/gastroenterology at Waikato District Health Board (DHB) had a colonoscopy. The second objective was to determine what proportion of these referrals have an underlying CRC and the factors associated with the likelihood of this diagnosis. 
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of e-referral data for patients aged 30–70+ who were referred from 75 general practices to general surgery, gastroenterology or direct to colonoscopy at Waikato DHB, 01 January 2015–31 December 2017. Primary and secondary outcome measures included the proportion and characteristics of patients who were having colonoscopy, and of those, who were diagnosed with CRC. Data were analysed using chi square and logistic regression. 
Results: 6718/20648 (32.5%) patients had a colonoscopy and 372 (5.5%) of these were diagnosed with CRC. The probability of having CRC following a colonoscopy increased with age (p value < 0.001). Females (p value < 0.001), non-Māori (p value < 0.001), and patients with a high suspicion of cancer (HSCan) label originating from their GP were more likely to have a colonoscopy, while the odds ratio of Māori having a colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.60–0.73). The odds ratio of a CRC diagnosis following colonoscopy was 1.67 (95% CI 1.35–2.07) for men compared to women, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.70–3.22) for those with a GP HSCan label. Of the 585 patients referred with a GP HSCan, 423 (72.3%) were reprioritised by the hospital and 55 patients had their diagnosis unnecessarily delayed. 
Conclusions: If a GP refers a patient with an HSCan, and the patient receives a colonoscopy, then the likelihood of having CRC is almost 15.0%. This would suggest that these patients should be routinely prioritised without further triage by the hospital. Further research is needed to understand why Māori are less likely to receive a colonoscopy following referral from general practice.

year: 2021-12-15