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Research on grit indicates that perseverance positively predicts academic achievement. Yet, the mechanisms through which perseverance might lead to academic success remain less explored, particularly in cross-cultural research. The current study investigated such mechanisms by examining possible mediating effects of students' use of self-regulated learning strategies (control, memorisation, and elaboration) on the predictive relation of students' perseverance on their academic achievement, in students from East Asian and Anglo-Saxon English speaking Western countries. The sample came from the OECD PISA study and included 24,352 population-representative 15-year-old students from Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and the US. Results revealed that perseverance had a more positive association with achievement in East Asian cultures than Western cultures. Control strategy was stronger positive mediators of achievement in Western countries, whereas memorisation and elaboration strategy use and instrumental motivation more negatively mediated the effect of perseverance on achievement in Western countries.

Objective. Effective clinical governance can improve delivery of health outcomes. This exploratory study compared perceptions of clinical governance development held by registered health professionals employed by two different but interrelated health organisations in the broader New Zealand (NZ) health system. Most staff in public sector healthcare service delivery organisations (i.e. District Health Boards (DHBs)) are registered health professionals, whereas these clinical staff represent a small minority (5%) in social insurance organisations (i.e. the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)). Given these different contexts, comparison of results from three surveys of clinical governance perceptions identified key learnings for the development of clinical governance. Methods. The Clinical Governance Development Index (CGDI) was administered to registered health professional staff in NZ DHBs and ACC, at different time points. The data were explored, compared and reported. Results. Responses to survey items completed by NZ DHB staff and registered health professionals employed by ACC were compared. For each administration, there was a similar profile of positive responses across the seven CGDI items. The 2020 ACC survey results for one item were clearly different. This item asked about perceptions of full and active involvement in organisational processes and decision making (i.e. clinical engagement). Conclusions. Perceptions of registered health professionals working in the NZ public sector delivering health services were compared with those held by staff employed by a NZ social insurer predominantly commissioning and influencing care. The results indicated similar levels of clinical governance development. Clinical governance development in the ACC context can benefit from clear communication, building strong supporting structures and greater management-clinical provider partnerships. Clinical governance development drives health outcomes and regular measurement of developmental progress can provide momentum. There is room across the NZ health system to raise awareness and leverage clinical governance to deliver improved health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral plantings are promoted to foster ecological intensification of agriculture through provisioning of ecosystem services. However, a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of different floral plantings, their characteristics and consequences for crop yield is lacking. Here we quantified the impacts of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control (18 studies) and pollination services (17 studies) in adjacent crops in North America, Europe and New Zealand. Flower strips, but not hedgerows, enhanced pest control services in adjacent fields by 16% on average. However, effects on crop pollination and yield were more variable. Our synthesis identifies several important drivers of variability in effectiveness of plantings: pollination services declined exponentially with distance from plantings, and perennial and older flower strips with higher flowering plant diversity enhanced pollination more effectively. These findings provide promising pathways to optimise floral plantings to more effectively contribute to ecosystem service delivery and ecological intensification of agriculture in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: This study aims to understand the factors that influence whether patients receive potentially curative treatment for early stage lung cancer. A key question was whether indigenous Māori patients were less likely to receive treatment.Methods: Patients included those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2011-2018 and resident in the New Zealand Midland Cancer Network region. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of having curative surgery/ treatment. The Kaplan Meier method was used to examine the all-cause survival and Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of death.Results: In total 419/583 (71.9%) of patients with Stage I and II disease were treated with curative intent - 272 (46.7%) patients had curative surgery. Patients not receiving potentially curative treatment were older, were less likely to have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), had poorer lung function and were more likely to have an ECOG performance status of 2+. Current smokers were less likely to be treated with surgery and more likely to receive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those who were treated with surgery had a 2-year survival of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.8-91.8%) and 5-year survival of 69.6% (95% CI: 63.2-76.0%). Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has equivalent effect on survival compared to curative surgery (hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.37-1.61). After adjustment we could find no difference in treatment and survival between Māori and non-Māori.Conclusions: The majority of patients with stage I and II lung cancer are managed with potentially curative treatment - mainly surgery and increasingly with SABR. The outcomes of those being diagnosed with stage I and II disease and receiving treatment is positive with 70% surviving 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This study aimed to identify the incidence of residual viable neck disease in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aero-digestive tract, following primary chemoradiation at a tertiary centre.Study design:Retrospective review.Methods:Retrospective chart review of patients treated with primary chemoradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the aero-digestive tract between August 2001 and August 2008. Neck status pre- and post-treatment was the primary focus.Results:Forty-two patients with node-positive disease prior to chemoradiation were included. Thirty-seven (88.1 per cent) achieved complete response to treatment: no patient in this group underwent neck dissection, five died due to recurrence at the primary site or distant metastasis, and none suffered neck recurrence. Five (11.9 per cent) patients achieved partial response to chemoradiation and underwent neck dissection; viable tumour was found in one patient.Conclusion:Our data support conservative management of the neck in patients with complete response to chemoradiation, and consolidation neck dissection in patients with partial response. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most commercialization models begin by taking an idea through some sort of stage-gate product development process. There is much talk about building market thinking into this process, but this paper argues that much more is required. The research identified three perspectives required to be present at all stages of product development. The first is labelled ‘technical and operational’, the second ‘strategic’ and the third ‘commercial’. The paper argues that each perspective is required at every stage to drive the right activities that lead to successful commercialization. The science, idea and opportunity stage leads onto the technology and feasibility stage, which in turn leads onto the product and market readiness stage. The research applied the grounded theory methodology to categorize and represent data obtained from interviews and desk research. The resulting model was introduced to a New Zealand Crown Research Institute during a consulting assignment in 2004. Three external experts were selected based on their particular perspectives and experience in the area of product development. Each perspective was built into the commercialization process. Applying multiple perspectives has led to a more robust approach to product development and a greater awareness of how multiple tools work together to create a holistic product development process. Each perspective of the commercialization process can be broken down into detailed stages. The technical and operational perspective addresses areas such as opportunity creation, proof of concept and market readiness. The strategic perspective addresses areas such as strategic fit, strategic analysis/choice and pathways to market. Finally, the commercial perspective addresses areas such as opportunity assessment, feasibility study/business planning and launch.After being in place for 18 months, the challenges faced in implementation were discussed with the current commercialization manager and the model was adapted to another institute wishing to develop a design-led commercialization process. A key finding of the research was the common understanding of language and meaning across three distinct disciplines and the involvement of each discipline in the decision-making process. All parties accepted the value of each other's contribution once the different perspectives were understood and accepted. The paper provides useful insights for those involved in the design of commercialization processes and establishes a multi-dimensional framework that assists in facilitating the different perspectives required for successful commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to remind Australasian doctors about the importance of vibration as an occupational exposure capable of causing musculoskeletal disease. This is a common problem in the northern hemisphere, but only four reports have been found in Australasian published work. Nine cases are reported together with a summary of vibration disorders and their nomenclature. Of the nine cases reviewed, six arose from compensation disputes and two resulted in Department of Labour prosecutions. Three patients had hand symptoms arising from using vibrating concrete drills, two patients used heavy floor-polishing machines in hospitals and three used heavy metal polishing machines. One had general pain from whole-body vibration in a digging machine. Minor circulatory signs were found in two patients, but cold exposure was not noted. Vibration disease is underreported in New Zealand. Doctors must question patients about vibration exposure in taking an occupational history, as vibration is an important factor in the causation of occupational musculoskeletal disorders. As vibration can be controlled, illness can be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation texture, describing plant communities by the range of characters present in them, can describe functional variation more effectively than using the identities of the species. We ask whether spatial trends, as seen in spatial autocorrelation (SAc), are stronger in vegetation texture. We also ask in what environment SAc is stronger, whether local or over longer distances, and with what measure of distance. Roadside vegetation was sampled across an orographic region of the South Island, New Zealand, from a high-rainfall zone up to just above treeline (the “Wet” side) and then down into a rain-shadow area (the “Dry” side). Species composition was recorded in quadrats placed in 30 clusters. Five functional plant characters were measured on all species encountered: characters that have been reported in the literature to correlate with light-capture, heat budget and nutrient strategy. SAc was calculated using a saturation-response type of relation in species composition, and also in texture using the five functional characters. There was significant species-composition SAc in almost all comparisons, but the maximum percentage of variation explained was 25%. The fit was almost always higher using local, short-distance, comparisons than using comparisons over a whole side (Wet or Dry). On average dissimilarity had reached 90% of its asymptote after ca 250 m. It is concluded that the SAc was mainly due to local factors. SAc relations almost always predicted the presence/absence of species more accurately than their abundance. Distances along the road generally gave a very slightly better fit to species composition than surface distances, suggesting that there might be dispersal limitation. On the Wet side, elevation in overall comparisons gave a still better fit, implying environmental control too. The strength of SAc in texture was strongest on the Dry side, and using overall comparisons, abundance weighting and surface distances, but in other cases texture SAc was weaker than SAc in species composition. It is concluded that the saturation-response formula used here has theoretical advantages over previous approaches. The SAc in this vegetation seems to be caused by a combination of dispersal limitation, broad environmental trends and especially local environmental effects such as disturbance. SAc in texture may have been weaker overall on the Wet side than on the Dry because the main environmental difference across the former is in frost, and characters correlated with frost resistance have not yet been included in texture analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biphasic calcium phosphate with submicron needle-shaped surface topography combined with a novel polyethylene glycol/polylactic acid triblock copolymer binder (BCP-EP) was investigated in this study. This study aims to evaluate the composition, degradation mechanism and bioactivity of BCP-EP in vitro, and its in vivo performance as an autograft bone graft (ABG) extender in a rabbit Posterolateral Fusion (PLF) model. The characterization of BCP-EP and its in vitro degradation products showed that the binder hydrolyses rapidly into lactic acid, lactide oligomers and unaltered PEG (polyethylene glycol) without altering the BCP granules and their characteristic submicron needle-shaped surface topography. The bioactivity of BCP-EP after immersion in SBF revealed a progressive surface mineralization. In vivo, BCP-EP was assessed in a rabbit PLF model by radiography, manual palpation, histology and histomorphometry up to 12 weeks post-implantation. Twenty skeletally mature New Zealand (NZ) White Rabbits underwent single-level intertransverse process PLF surgery at L4/5 using (1) autologous bone graft (ABG) alone or (2) by mixing in a 1:1 ratio with BCP-EP (BCP-EP/ABG). After 3 days of implantation, histology showed the BCP granules were in direct contact with tissues and cells. After 12 weeks, material resorption and mature bone formation were observed, which resulted in solid fusion between the two transverse processes, following all assessment methods. BCP-EP/ABG showed comparable fusion rates with ABG at 12 weeks, and no graft migration or adverse reaction were noted at the implantation site nor in distant organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the effects of crime and agglomeration on the value of urban amenities using data for 134 locations in New Zealand and report three key findings. First, the negative effects of crime operate mostly via rents, with elasticities that range from − 0.15 to − 0.44. Accounting for endogeneity leads to larger elasticities in most specifications, possibly due to sorting effects. Second, crime has negative effects on the value of urban amenities, with elasticities that range from approximately − 0.03 to − 0.06 for firms and − 0.02 to − 0.09 for workers. Using reduced-form models, we show that these effects imply an elasticity of population with respect to crime of − 0.04 to − 0.10. Third, controlling for crime causes estimates of agglomeration economies to increase by approximately 0.01–0.02 points, on average. Our findings confirm that crime is an important urban congestion cost that erodes productivity and well-being. • Uses a location choice model to analyse the effects of crime and agglomeration on the value of urban amenity via rents and wages. • Finds crime has significant negative effects on rents and – by extension – urban amenities, agglomeration economies, and population. • Results confirm that crime is a significant urban congestion cost that erodes productivity and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic bone grafts are a promising alternative for the treatment of degenerative spine conditions and are available without the added drawbacks associated autografts including limited availability and donor-site morbidity. Of these synthetic materials, calcium phosphate (CaP) with a characteristic needle-shaped submicron surface topography (BCP<µm) has attracted much attention due to its unique bone-forming ability which is essential for repairing critical-size bone defects such as those found in the posterolateral spine [1,2]. Previous in vitro and ex-vivo data presented by van Dijk LA [3] and Yuan H [4] at NASS, 2020 demonstrated that these specific surface characteristics drive a favorable response from the innate immune system. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel synthetic bone graft using a clinically-relevant "Boden" rabbit posterolateral spine fusion model. The synthetic bone graft comprised of CaP granules with a needle-shaped submicron surface structure (BCP<µm) embedded in a highly porous and fibrillar bovine type I collagen matrix (col-BCP<µm). The fibrillar collagen was introduced as a carrier, designed to facilitate admixing of the graft with biological fluids perioperatively and to minimize graft migration postoperatively. The novel synthetic bone graft was first mixed in a 1:1 volume ratio with autologous bone (ABG). Subsequently, grafts were implanted in the rabbit posterolateral spine environment for 3 days, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. An autologous bone graft group was used as a positive control in this study. Outcomes for the test article were additionally compared to historical data for the same material (BCP<µm) implanted alone, without the fibrillar collagen carrier. Spinal fusion was determined by manual palpation (MP), X-ray and µCT imaging (based on the Lenke scale), mechanical testing (range of motion testing at 12 weeks only) and histology (decalcified and undecalcified). Forty skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups and underwent single-level bilateral posterolateral intertransverse process spine arthrodesis at L4-5. Animals were euthanized after 3 days, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. Based on all endpoints, the test group and positive control group showed an equivalent and gradual progression in bone formation and implant resorption over time, leading to mature fusion masses at 12 weeks. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the groups. Bilateral fusion rates by MP were consistent with the literature (0-40% at 6 weeks; 60-70% at 12 weeks) and similar trends were seen by histological and radiographic assessment (both X-ray and µCT). Flexion-extension and lateral bending results at 12 weeks demonstrated fusion of the treated level consistent with the MP results. The results observed for the test group were consistent with those seen historically for the same material implanted without the fibrillar collagen carrier. These results show that BCP with needle-shaped submicron-scale surface topography (BCP<µm) combined with a fibrillar collagen matrix (col-BCP<µm) could achieve equivalent fusion rates to ABG when used as a bone graft extender in a clinically relevant single level rabbit intertransverse process posterolateral lumbar fusion model. Over time, a progression in bone healing, graft resorption and remodeling were seen with all experimental endpoints, with equivalency between the groups. The results for col-BCP<µm were consistent with those previously seen for BCP<µm alone, confirming that the fibrillar collagen carrier improved handling properties but was not detrimental to the bone-forming capacity of the BCP<µm. Col-BCP<µm (Investigational/Not approved) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]