title: Surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer in the Auckland and Waikato regions of New Zealand

authors: Campbell, Ian

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
The aim of this study was to understand the factors influencing the use of surgical options by New Zealand women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Methods
Using data from the Auckland and Waikato breast cancer registers, we included 11 798 women diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer from June 2000 to May 2013. The characteristics of women receiving different surgical treatments and having immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy were examined. A logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of having breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy and immediate post‐mastectomy reconstruction. Bilateral breast cancer cases and women with unilateral breast cancer, but who had bilateral surgery, were also identified.

Results
Fifty‐two percent of women received BCS and 44% had mastectomy over the study period. Key influences associated with BCS were age, mode of diagnosis, socio‐economic status and public or private treatment. Just under half of the women who underwent bilateral surgery did not have bilateral cancer. Nineteen percent of women undergoing mastectomy underwent immediate reconstruction. Implant use increased slightly over the study period but there was a decrease in the use of autologous flap procedures.

Conclusion
Surgical management of women with localized breast cancer was generally in line with guidelines, but with potential to further increase the use of breast conservation and immediate reconstruction in suitable cases.

text: Surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer in the Auckland and Waikato regions of New Zealand Background
The aim of this study was to understand the factors influencing the use of surgical options by New Zealand women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Methods
Using data from the Auckland and Waikato breast cancer registers, we included 11 798 women diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer from June 2000 to May 2013. The characteristics of women receiving different surgical treatments and having immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy were examined. A logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of having breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy and immediate post‐mastectomy reconstruction. Bilateral breast cancer cases and women with unilateral breast cancer, but who had bilateral surgery, were also identified.

Results
Fifty‐two percent of women received BCS and 44% had mastectomy over the study period. Key influences associated with BCS were age, mode of diagnosis, socio‐economic status and public or private treatment. Just under half of the women who underwent bilateral surgery did not have bilateral cancer. Nineteen percent of women undergoing mastectomy underwent immediate reconstruction. Implant use increased slightly over the study period but there was a decrease in the use of autologous flap procedures.

Conclusion
Surgical management of women with localized breast cancer was generally in line with guidelines, but with potential to further increase the use of breast conservation and immediate reconstruction in suitable cases.

year: 2018

title: Lake Rotoiti fieldwork and modelling to support considerations of Ohau Channel diversion from Lake Rotoiti

authors: Hamilton, David P.

abstract: A detailed assessment of the water quality effects of the Ohau Channel inflow to Lake Rotoiti was carried out using field and computer modelling analyses. The modelling assessment evaluates the effects on Lake Rotoiti of partial (50%) or complete (100%) diversion of the Ohau Channel. A comprehensive bathymetric survey of Lake Rotoiti and the eastern end of Lake Rotorua was also carried out to provide information for the application of a three-dimensional model run by NIWA, so that different diversion wall positions and designs might be tested prior to possible implementation. Field measurements based on temperature, conductivity and chlorophyll fluorescence carried out from February to May 2004 captured instances when the Ohau Channel entered Lake Rotoiti as a buoyant overflow. These data and historical records suggest that approximately 20% of the buoyant surface inflow enters the main basin of Lake Rotoiti, while the remainder is short-circuited through the Kaituna arm to the outflow.

text: Lake Rotoiti fieldwork and modelling to support considerations of Ohau Channel diversion from Lake Rotoiti A detailed assessment of the water quality effects of the Ohau Channel inflow to Lake Rotoiti was carried out using field and computer modelling analyses. The modelling assessment evaluates the effects on Lake Rotoiti of partial (50%) or complete (100%) diversion of the Ohau Channel. A comprehensive bathymetric survey of Lake Rotoiti and the eastern end of Lake Rotorua was also carried out to provide information for the application of a three-dimensional model run by NIWA, so that different diversion wall positions and designs might be tested prior to possible implementation. Field measurements based on temperature, conductivity and chlorophyll fluorescence carried out from February to May 2004 captured instances when the Ohau Channel entered Lake Rotoiti as a buoyant overflow. These data and historical records suggest that approximately 20% of the buoyant surface inflow enters the main basin of Lake Rotoiti, while the remainder is short-circuited through the Kaituna arm to the outflow.

year: 2005-03

title: The Te Kotahitanga observation tool: Development, use, reliability and validity

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: School reform

abstract: Te Kotahitanga is a New Zealand school reform project aimed at improving the pedagogical contexts in mainstream classrooms in which the indigenous Māori students have traditionally been marginalised. It does this by assisting teachers to implement an Effective Teaching Profile. Part of this process uses an observation tool to monitor the degree to which participating teachers are incorporating the interactions and relationships described in the Effective Teaching Profile into their day-to-day teaching. Given the central importance of these tasks, the Te Kotahitanga team undertook to test the observation tool for measurement reliability and validity. In order to undertake this study, the team conducted synchronous observations amongst trainers (the Professional Development Coordinator and Regional Coordinators) to ascertain their level of consistency when using the tool. The team then conducted synchronous observations between trainers and 38 in-school facilitators in the 12 schools involved in Phase 3 of the project. In total 41 teachers were observed and over 200 Māori students were involved in these observations. This study suggests that the tool can produce consistent and reliable results when observers have been effectively trained.

text: The Te Kotahitanga observation tool: Development, use, reliability and validity Te Kotahitanga is a New Zealand school reform project aimed at improving the pedagogical contexts in mainstream classrooms in which the indigenous Māori students have traditionally been marginalised. It does this by assisting teachers to implement an Effective Teaching Profile. Part of this process uses an observation tool to monitor the degree to which participating teachers are incorporating the interactions and relationships described in the Effective Teaching Profile into their day-to-day teaching. Given the central importance of these tasks, the Te Kotahitanga team undertook to test the observation tool for measurement reliability and validity. In order to undertake this study, the team conducted synchronous observations amongst trainers (the Professional Development Coordinator and Regional Coordinators) to ascertain their level of consistency when using the tool. The team then conducted synchronous observations between trainers and 38 in-school facilitators in the 12 schools involved in Phase 3 of the project. In total 41 teachers were observed and over 200 Māori students were involved in these observations. This study suggests that the tool can produce consistent and reliable results when observers have been effectively trained.

year: 2015