title: The Viscometric determination of somatic cell levels in cows' milk

authors: Milne, John Ross

abstract: The California Mastitis Test (CMT) is a test used for estimating the number of somatic cells in a milk sample. A reagent (secondary alkyl sulphate) is added to the milk and the number of somatic cells estimated from the resultant viscosity of the mixture. 
The Ruakura rolling ball viscometer has been developed to measure the viscosity of the CMT gel. It consists of a tube mounted horizontally so that the milk-reagent mixture can be introduced into it. After a holding time of 26 seconds the tube tips through an angle of 25° allowing a stainless steel ball to roll through the mixture for a standard time before returning to the horizontal. The distance the ball has rolled is inversely related to the viscosity developed. The physical function of the viscometer follows Stokes' Law. 
The range of the instrument is suited to reading the viscosity developed by the CMT reaction in New Zealand herd milks. 
The viscous reaction in milk is caused by somatic cell nuclei forming a fibrillar network. The reaction intensity is related to the DNA content of the milk sample. Proteins can modify the viscosity developed. Bacterial DNA does not enter the reaction. The network is fragile and rheomalaxic in nature. The reaction intensity in milk varies with time. An approximate 25 second holding time is required before determining the viscosity. After this holding time the reaction intensity progressively decreases. Milk to be tested should be under 24 hours old although refrigeration or boric acid preservative can extend this time. Different operators can rank milk samples by somatic cell count in a similar order with the Ruakura rolling ball viscometer. 
There is a significant correlation (r = 0.92***) between Ruakura rolling ball viscometer and somatic cell count of herd milk samples.

text: The Viscometric determination of somatic cell levels in cows' milk The California Mastitis Test (CMT) is a test used for estimating the number of somatic cells in a milk sample. A reagent (secondary alkyl sulphate) is added to the milk and the number of somatic cells estimated from the resultant viscosity of the mixture. 
The Ruakura rolling ball viscometer has been developed to measure the viscosity of the CMT gel. It consists of a tube mounted horizontally so that the milk-reagent mixture can be introduced into it. After a holding time of 26 seconds the tube tips through an angle of 25° allowing a stainless steel ball to roll through the mixture for a standard time before returning to the horizontal. The distance the ball has rolled is inversely related to the viscosity developed. The physical function of the viscometer follows Stokes' Law. 
The range of the instrument is suited to reading the viscosity developed by the CMT reaction in New Zealand herd milks. 
The viscous reaction in milk is caused by somatic cell nuclei forming a fibrillar network. The reaction intensity is related to the DNA content of the milk sample. Proteins can modify the viscosity developed. Bacterial DNA does not enter the reaction. The network is fragile and rheomalaxic in nature. The reaction intensity in milk varies with time. An approximate 25 second holding time is required before determining the viscosity. After this holding time the reaction intensity progressively decreases. Milk to be tested should be under 24 hours old although refrigeration or boric acid preservative can extend this time. Different operators can rank milk samples by somatic cell count in a similar order with the Ruakura rolling ball viscometer. 
There is a significant correlation (r = 0.92***) between Ruakura rolling ball viscometer and somatic cell count of herd milk samples.

year: 1973

title: Children learning outside the classroom

authors: Milne, Louise

abstract: Learning outside the classroom has the potential to extend a child's technological knowledge and promote design solutions to real-world problems. When a visit involves making a chocolate gift to celebrate Mother's Day, there are lots of opportunities for creative and original ideas that consider personal interests and the pupils' aspirations for creating a gift for their mother or relative.

text: Children learning outside the classroom Learning outside the classroom has the potential to extend a child's technological knowledge and promote design solutions to real-world problems. When a visit involves making a chocolate gift to celebrate Mother's Day, there are lots of opportunities for creative and original ideas that consider personal interests and the pupils' aspirations for creating a gift for their mother or relative.

year: 2017

title: How do colorectal cancer patients rate their GP: a mixed methods study

authors: Blackmore, Tania Louise

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background: New Zealand (NZ) has a high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and low rates of early diagnosis. With screening not yet nationwide, the majority of CRC is diagnosed through general practice. A good patient-general practitioner (GP) relationship can facilitate prompt diagnosis, but when there is a breakdown in this relationship, delays can occur. Delayed diagnosis of CRC in NZ receives a disproportionally high number of complaints directed against GPs, suggesting deficits in the patient-GP connection. We aimed to investigate patient-reported confidence and ratings of their GP following the diagnostic process. 
Methods: This study is a mixed methods analysis of responses to a structured questionnaire and free text comments from patients newly diagnosed with CRC in the Midland region of NZ. A total of 195 patients responded to the structured questionnaire, and 113 patients provided additional free text comments. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population and chi square analysis determined the statistical significance of factors possibly linked to delay. Free text comments were analysed using a thematic framework. 
Results: Most participants rated their GP as ‘Very good/Good’ at communication with patients about their health conditions and involving them in decisions about their care, and 6.7% of participants rated their overall level of confidence and trust in their GP as ‘Not at all’. Age, gender, ethnicity and a longer diagnostic interval were associated with lower confidence and trust. Free text comments were grouped in to three themes: 1. GP Interpersonal skills; (communication, listening, taking patient symptoms seriously), 2. Technical competence; (speed of referral, misdiagnoses, lack of physical examination), and 3. Organisation of general practice care; (appointment length, getting an appointment, continuity of care). 
Conclusions: Māori, females, and younger participants were more likely to report low confidence and trust in their GP. Participants associate a poor diagnostic experience with deficits in the interpersonal and technical skills of their GP, and health system factors within general practice. Short appointment times, access to appointments and poor GP continuity are important components of how patients assess their experience and are particularly important to ensure equal access for Māori patients.

text: How do colorectal cancer patients rate their GP: a mixed methods study Background: New Zealand (NZ) has a high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and low rates of early diagnosis. With screening not yet nationwide, the majority of CRC is diagnosed through general practice. A good patient-general practitioner (GP) relationship can facilitate prompt diagnosis, but when there is a breakdown in this relationship, delays can occur. Delayed diagnosis of CRC in NZ receives a disproportionally high number of complaints directed against GPs, suggesting deficits in the patient-GP connection. We aimed to investigate patient-reported confidence and ratings of their GP following the diagnostic process. 
Methods: This study is a mixed methods analysis of responses to a structured questionnaire and free text comments from patients newly diagnosed with CRC in the Midland region of NZ. A total of 195 patients responded to the structured questionnaire, and 113 patients provided additional free text comments. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population and chi square analysis determined the statistical significance of factors possibly linked to delay. Free text comments were analysed using a thematic framework. 
Results: Most participants rated their GP as ‘Very good/Good’ at communication with patients about their health conditions and involving them in decisions about their care, and 6.7% of participants rated their overall level of confidence and trust in their GP as ‘Not at all’. Age, gender, ethnicity and a longer diagnostic interval were associated with lower confidence and trust. Free text comments were grouped in to three themes: 1. GP Interpersonal skills; (communication, listening, taking patient symptoms seriously), 2. Technical competence; (speed of referral, misdiagnoses, lack of physical examination), and 3. Organisation of general practice care; (appointment length, getting an appointment, continuity of care). 
Conclusions: Māori, females, and younger participants were more likely to report low confidence and trust in their GP. Participants associate a poor diagnostic experience with deficits in the interpersonal and technical skills of their GP, and health system factors within general practice. Short appointment times, access to appointments and poor GP continuity are important components of how patients assess their experience and are particularly important to ensure equal access for Māori patients.

year: 2021-04-08