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A key role of universities is the credentialing of student learning by awarding degrees and diplomas. This requires universities to have confidence in the integrity of their assessment processes and in turn, external stakeholders to have the same confidence. This study investigates the following research question: 'Has COVID-19 had an impact on the assessment and invigilation of accounting courses in Australia and New Zealand and, if so, how?' This is a critical issue for accounting faculty in many countries as COVID-19 has forced a shift in the way assessments are administered -- from face to face to online. The study involved a survey of accounting faculty in Australia and New Zealand and found changes occurred to how students were assessed because of COVID-19 and a variety of institutional responses to this. The paper makes recommendations for accounting educators, universities, and the professional accounting bodies.

This article investigates barriers to Pasifika learners in a range of educational settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and offers strategies for kaiako to support Pasifika learners in overcoming these barriers in early childhood settings. This article will also explain and define the term 'Pasifika' according to the terminology used in the Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017 (Ministry of Education, 2013). The growing population of young Pasifika learners in educational settings and the disparities between Pasifika learners' achievement and other ethnic groups is a concern. This article examines the ways that this disparity is being addressed by the New Zealand Government through Ministry of Education policies and documents, and how these initiatives can support kaiako in early childhood settings to support Pasifika students to fulfill their potential and achieve academically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the drivers and process of change in carbon controls within a New Zealand electricity utility, using a meta‐triangulation approach that employs three theoretical perspectives (transactional cost economics, the resource‐based view and new institutional sociology). Results suggest three main objectives motivate carbon controls: cost control, competitiveness and legitimacy. Multiple environmental demands and expectations were met by focusing controls on a particular stakeholder group or objective. Further, the research identifies the conditions under which carbon controls are integrated and institutionalised within an organisational management control system. The theoretical interplay provides insight into inter‐relationships between institutional environments, organisational resources and carbon transactional characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess speech outcomes at five and ten years of age in a nationwide study of children with orofacial cleft. Design: Prospective study. Participants: Children born with orofacial cleft and having primary surgery in New Zealand. Speech samples were available for 151 five-year-old, and 163 ten-year-old children. Main outcome measures: Intelligibility, Acceptability, Velopharyngeal function, Hypernasality, Hyponasality, severity of airflow evaluated by perceptual speech assessment (using the standardised Rhinocleft assessment), and overall assessment of requirement for clinical intervention. Results: A large proportion of five-year-old children had speech that was considered to be not completely intelligible, was not acceptable, and had inadequate velopharyngeal function. The noted deficiencies led to a clinical judgement that further speech and/or surgical intervention was required in 85% with cleft lip and palate, 65% with cleft palate and 26% with cleft lip. The proportion of children with poor speech outcomes in the ten-year-old children was lower, though of clinical importance, further intervention required for 25% with CLP, 15% with CP and 3% with CL. The number of sound production errors in both age groups followed the same pattern with fewest in those with CL and most in those with CLP. Conclusions: A significant proportion of children with orofacial cleft were found to have poor speech outcomes requiring further treatment. The outcomes are poor compared to centres reported in the UK and Scandinavia. New Zealand requires a review of the current services for individuals born with cleft to improve speech outcomes and interdisciplinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty years since the seminal Swampscott Conference, the principles of community psychology transcend multiple areas of action and research, as well as international boundaries. The extensive development of community psychology offers an opportunity to examine from where the field has come and where it is going. Yet, a systematic approach to creating a history of community psychology is required to avoid distorting or excluding the voices of its diverse members. This special issue provides eight articles that highlight the importance of a pluralistic approach to historical analysis of the field. Of particular importance is the recognition of often-under-emphasized members of community psychology, including the important role of women, ethnic minorities, applied community psychologists, and international influences on the field.

Objective: To describe antibiotic treatment durations that pediatric infectious diseases (ID) and critical care clinicians usually recommend for bloodstream infections in critically ill children. Design: Anonymous, online practice survey using five common pediatric-based case scenarios of bloodstream infections. Setting: Pediatric intensive care units in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Participants: Pediatric intensivists, nurse practitioners, ID physicians and pharmacists. Main outcome measures: Recommended treatment durations for common infectious syndromes associated with bloodstream infections and willingness to enrol patients into a trial to study treatment duration. Results: Among 136 survey respondents, most recommended at least 10 days antibiotics for bloodstream infections associated with: pneumonia (65%), skin/soft tissue (74%), urinary tract (64%) and intra-abdominal infections (drained: 90%; undrained: 99%). For central vascular catheter-associated infections without catheter removal, over 90% clinicians recommended at least 10 days antibiotics, except for infections caused by coagulase negative staphylococci (79%). Recommendations for at least 10 days antibiotics were less common with catheter removal. In multivariable linear regression analyses, lack of source control was significantly associated with longer treatment durations (+5.2 days [95% CI: 4.4–6.1 days] for intra-abdominal infections and +4.1 days [95% CI: 3.8–4.4 days] for central vascular catheter-associated infections). Most clinicians (73–95%, depending on the source of bloodstream infection) would be willing to enrol patients into a trial of shorter versus longer antibiotic treatment duration. Conclusions: The majority of clinicians currently recommend at least 10 days of antibiotics for most scenarios of bloodstream infections in critically ill children. There is practice heterogeneity in self-reported treatment duration recommendations among clinicians. Treatment durations were similar across different infectious syndromes. Under appropriate clinical conditions, most clinicians would be willing to enrol patients into a trial of shorter versus longer treatment for common syndromes associated with bloodstream infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Regular tumour‐specific peer review meetings (TPRMs) were established by our group during 2016. A dedicated Quality Assurance Radiation Therapist (QART) was employed in 2018 to co‐ordinate the meetings and for each patient, complete the Peer Review Audit Tool (PRAT) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). The aim of the current quality assurance study was to investigate the impact of the TPRMs and appointment of the QART on compliance to relevant RANZCR Radiation Oncology Practice Standards (ROPS). Methods: Tumour‐specific peer review meetings for eight tumour sites were assessed across our group's three hospitals from January 2017 to December 2019. Data from meetings were collected using the PRAT or from paper‐based minutes and assessed against four ROPS (ROPS 3, 4, 8 and 9). Compliance with each of the four standards was measured by presence of the required documentation and presentation at TPRM, as recorded by the PRAT. Results: There was an increase in the overall number of peer review cases audited from 173 in the 2017 calendar year to 469 in 2018 and 619 in 2019, representing 7%, 18% and 22% of all treatment courses started during these years, respectively. Staging was the most incompletely documented item across all years for audited patients. The request for radiation treatment plan modifications increased year‐on‐year: modifications were requested for 5% of plans in 2017 (8/172), 18% in 2018 (81/452) and 19% (119/619) in 2019. Conclusion: This study has shown that an increase in the number of cases for peer‐review audit corresponded to the QART‐facilitated TPRMs. Application of the PRAT has identified radiation treatment plan modifications that would otherwise go undetected and without opportunity to improve the quality of patients' treatment or avoid harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megaloptera is one of the smaller (about 400 modern species) monophyletic ingroups of Holometabola, including fishflies, dobsonflies and alderflies. All these are united by a very similar morphology, a distinct merolimnic lifecycle (aquatic larva, terrestrial pupa and adult) and by the short lifespan of the winged adults. Megaloptera is generally considered to be sister group to Neuroptera within Neuropterida. Unfortunately, the fossil record of the group is extremely scarce. Here we review the fossil record of megalopteran larvae; due to the long-lasting larval phase, one could argue that this is, in fact, the life phase with the largest ecological impact. Larvae of megalopterans are even rarer in the fossil record. Interestingly, many known larvae are preserved in amber, despite their aquatic lifestyle. Moreover, we report new specimens, including a fossil from the Miocene Foulden Maar of New Zealand, the Eocene Green River Formation, as well as different specimens preserved in amber from the Cretaceous of Myanmar. The New Zealand specimen resembles larvae of Sialidae. The Green River specimen could be a representative of Sialidae. A larger, partly incomplete amber specimen could be a representative of Corydalidae. Several small amber specimens resemble early larval stages of Chauliodinae, but also differ in important aspects. We discuss what the scarce fossil record of megalopteran larvae can tell us about their palaeo-biology and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate a range of blue intensity (BI) tree-ring parameters in eight conifer species (12 sites) from Tasmania and New Zealand for their dendroclimatic potential, and as surrogate wood anatomical proxies. Using a dataset of ca. 10–15 trees per site, we measured earlywood maximum blue intensity (EWB), latewood minimum blue intensity (LWB), and the associated delta blue intensity (DB) parameter for dendrochronological analysis. No resin extraction was performed, impacting low-frequency trends. Therefore, we focused only on the high-frequency signal by detrending all tree-ring and climate data using a 20-year cubic smoothing spline. All BI parameters express low relative variance and weak signal strength compared to ring width. Correlation analysis and principal component regression experiments identified a weak and variable climate response for most ring-width chronologies. However, for most sites, the EWB data, despite weak signal strength, expressed strong coherence with summer temperatures. Significant correlations for LWB were also noted, but the sign of the relationship for most species is opposite to that reported for all conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere. DB results were mixed but performed better for the Tasmanian sites when combined through principal component regression methods than for New Zealand. Using the full multi-species/parameter network, excellent summer temperature calibration was identified for both Tasmania and New Zealand ranging from 52 % to 78 % explained variance for split periods (1901–1950/1951–1995), with equally robust independent validation (coefficient of efficiency = 0.41 to 0.77). Comparison of the Tasmanian BI reconstruction with a quantitative wood anatomical (QWA) reconstruction shows that these parameters record essentially the same strong high-frequency summer temperature signal. Despite these excellent results, a substantial challenge exists with the capture of potential secular-scale climate trends. Although DB, band-pass, and other signal processing methods may help with this issue, substantially more experimentation is needed in conjunction with comparative analysis with ring density and QWA measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 100 children are currently born in New Zealand (NZ) each year with an orofacial cleft (OFC). OFC are a heterogeneous group of embryologic developmental structural defects of the facial processes which can occur as either unilateral or bilateral and involve combinations of the lip, alveolus, hard or soft palate. Children born with an OFC often experience complications with feeding, hearing, appearance, dental anomalies, malocclusions, speech and at times, psychological issues. Many require numerous surgical and non-surgical treatments from infancy to adulthood. This treatment can be complex and in NZ this is provided by various health professionals working in five interdisciplinary cleft services, although the locations and structure of these cleft teams have evolved and changed over time. Objectives: This article examines the history of cleft services in NZ, the role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) which contribute to current cleft care and provide some insight into the current pathway of treatment and the dispersed nature of its delivery. Conc/usions: Present-day cleft surgical services in NZ have evolved essentially from the expertise and experiences gained by NZ surgeons based in the UK during and following both World Wars. The development of interdisciplinary cleft teams has become integral to the staging of both surgical and non-surgical treatments which can extend from birth to early adulthood. The burden of care undertaken can be extensive and parent support services have also evolved to aid the families understanding of cleft treatment. The way the cleft centres have evolved and the low population density in NZ has resulted in lower case numbers by surgeons than international best practice recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe (1) oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) for children with orofacial cleft (OFC) in New Zealand and (2) assess any differences in OHRQoL by sex, ethnicity, and cleft phenotype using the 16 item (and 8 item subset) of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) and Parent version (P-CPQ). Design and Setting: Prospective cross-sectional nationwide study. Methods and Materials: Children with OFC and their parents completed the 16-item CPQ or the Parent CPQ, respectively, when attending cleft clinic appointments between January 2015 and December 2017. Results: Overall, 174 children (mean age 10.4 ± 1.2 years) and their parents (n = 181) completed the CPQ or P-CPQ. In multivariable analysis, neither the CPQ nor P-CPQ 16-item or 8-item subset showed significant differences in OHRQoL total score with cleft phenotype. Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) had higher (worse) well-being scores than those with cleft palate alone (CP) on the P-CPQ. Pacific Island children had consistently higher scores across both CPQ and P-CPQ, total and subscales. Conclusions: Significant differences in OHRQoL among children with OFC were found for the well-being domain for children with CLP as reported by P-CPQ, but the symptom domain and total score showed no differences. Poorer scores were reported for children of Pacific Island descent using both questionnaires. The study findings indicate that children with OFC in New Zealand are a group who experience worse OHRQoL when referenced to normative non-OFC data. Further investigations are required to establish greater insight into specific factors influencing OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether children with an orofacial cleft have higher levels of behavioral problems than the general population and whether this differs by cleft phenotype. Design: A cohort of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) born in New Zealand from January 1, 2000. Setting: Cleft clinics in New Zealand participating in a larger outcomes study between 2014 and 2017. Participants: Children (N = 378) aged 5 to 12 years of age and their parents. Main Outcomes: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales 4.0 and Family Impact Module 2.0. Results: Compared to standardized norms, children with a cleft had higher than expected (defined as 20%) levels of abnormal/borderline SDQ scores for conduct problems (27.4%, P =.0003) and peer relationship problems (31.6%, P <.0001) but lower than expected levels of problems with pro-social skills (6.3%, P <.0001). There were no significant differences by age-group and or cleft phenotype other than an increased risk of hyperactivity in children with CP compared to children with CL. Total difficulties SDQ scores had moderate correlations with the PedsQL. Conclusions: While over 90% of children with CL/P had normal prosocial skills, they may not be easily accepted by their peers which may result in behavioral problems. These concerns were moderately related to lower quality of life. Support for establishment and maintenance of peer relationships is important to address externalizing and peer difficulties in children with CL/P. Community knowledge and understanding of CL/P needs to continue to be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the level of quality of life (QoL) in children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and whether this differs by cleft phenotype. Design: A cohort of children with CL/P born in New Zealand. Setting: A nationwide study of children born with CL/P and having primary surgery in New Zealand. Participants: Children with CL/P and their families (n = 397) who attended a cleft clinic between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2017, and agreed to complete questionnaires on QoL. Main Outcomes: Primary outcomes were QoL from the PedsQL 4.0 core generic questionnaires and the PedsQL 2.0 Family impact scale. Results: Children with CL/P in New Zealand generally have a high QoL as assessed by the PedsQL. The impact of cleft phenotype had limited effects on the child, however there were significant impacts on parents and families. We found that the family impact scale differed by cleft phenotype with those with CL having the highest QoL and those with cleft palate the lowest, and this was consistent across QoL subscales. Quality of life improved as a whole by age, particularly in physical and cognitive functioning, as well as in the ability to undertake family activities. Conclusions: Children with CL/P have generally good levels of QoL in New Zealand, however cleft phenotype impacts on the level, with the lowest levels in those with cleft palate. Psychological support of children with cleft and their families should be an integral part of cleft care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate a range of blue intensity (BI) tree-ring parameters in eight conifer species (12 sites) from Tasmania and New Zealand for their dendroclimatic potential, and as surrogate wood anatomical proxies. Using a dataset of ca. 10-15 trees per site, we measured earlywood maximum blue reflectance intensity (EWB), latewood minimum blue reflectance intensity (LWB) and the associated delta blue intensity (DB) parameter for dendrochronological analysis. No resin extraction was performed, impacting low frequency trends. Therefore, we focused only on the high frequency signal by detrending all tree-ring and climate data using a 20-year cubic smoothing spline. All BI parameters express low relative variance and weak signal strength compared to ring-width. Correlation analysis and principal component regression experiments identified a weak and variable climate response for most ring-width chronologies. However, for most sites, the EWB data, despite weak signal strength, expressed strong calibrations with summer temperatures. Significant correlations for LWB were also noted, but the sign of the relationship for most species is opposite to that reported for all conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere. DB performed well for the Tasmanian sites but explained minimal temperature variance in New Zealand. Using the full multi-species/parameter network, excellent summer temperature calibration was identified for both Tasmania and New Zealand ranging from 52 % to 78 % explained variance, with equally robust independent validation (Coefficient of Efficiency = 0.41 to 0.77). Comparison of the Tasmanian BI reconstruction with a wood anatomical reconstruction shows that these parameters record essentially the same strong high frequency summer temperature signal. Despite these excellent results, a substantial challenge exists with the capture of potential secular scale climate trends. Although DB, band-pass and other signal processing methods may help with this issue, substantially more experimentation is needed in conjunction with comparative analysis with ring density and quantitative WA measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Douglas-fir seed chalcid (DFSC) Megastigmus spermotrophus, a small (3 mm long) host-specific seedpredatory wasp, was accidentally introduced into New Zealand in the 1920s. Concern over DFSC reducing Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand led to an attempt at biocontrol in 1955 with the release, but failed establishment, of the small (2.5 mm long) parasitoid wasp, Mesopolobus spermotrophus. We investigated why DFSC causes little destruction of Douglas-fir seed in New Zealand (usually <20%) despite the apparent absence of major natural enemies. Douglas-fir seed collections from 13 New Zealand sites yielded the seed predator (DFSC) but also potential parasitoids, which were identified using morphology and partial COI DNA sequencing. DFSC destroyed only 0.15% of Douglas-fir seed. All parasitoids were identified as the pteromalid wasp, Mes. spermotrophus, the host-specific biocontrol agent released in 1955. Total parasitism was 48.5%, but levels at some sites approached 90%, with some evidence of density-dependence. The discovery of the parasitoid Mes. spermotrophus could indicate that the biocontrol agent released in 1955 did establish after all. Alternatively, Mes. spermotrophus could have arrived accidentally in more recent importations of Douglas-fir seed. The high level of parasitism of DFSC by Mes. spermotrophus is consistent with DFSC being under successful biological control in New Zealand. Suppression of DFSC populations will benefit commercial Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand, but it also represents the likely loss of a potential biological control agent for wilding Douglas-fir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand's best‐known record of surface air temperature is the partially homogenised seven‐station series of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. The homogeneity analysis used in constructing this series depends on the completeness of the site histories and issues arise if relevant information is missing. Recent developments in the online availability of searchable historical records provide an opportunity to supplement early metadata. This potential is explored here using Albert Park (Auckland) as a case study. A wealth of relevant historical information about Albert Park was found in online archives, especially related to a major episode of site disturbance, evolving site environment and instrumentation changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, invasive non‐native plants are an increasing threat to indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems, but management can be compromised by poor efficacy of control methods, harmful non‐target effects or secondary invasions by other non‐native plant species.A 5‐year field trial compared two stakeholder‐selected control methods for heather, a European plant invading native ecosystems in and adjoining Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. The control methods were a selective herbicide (Pasture Kleen®; 2,4‐D ester) and biocontrol with an introduced beetle Lochmaea suturalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).Biocontrol reduced mean heather cover by 97%, slightly more than herbicide at 87%, compared with a 20% increase in heather under no management.Cover of native dicots, the most species‐rich plant group, increased following biocontrol. In contrast, herbicide application had major non‐target effects on native dicots, reducing their percentage cover and species richness. Native monocot cover and species richness increased following both herbicide and biocontrol treatments.A similar eightfold increase in non‐native monocots occurred following both biocontrol and herbicide treatments. Overall, secondary invasion was greatest with biocontrol because non‐native dicot cover also increased, whereas herbicide almost eliminated non‐native dicots.Synthesis and applications. Biocontrol and herbicide treatments both controlled heather but herbicide application was associated with severe non‐target impacts on native dicots. Benefits to the native flora were consequently greatest in the biocontrol treatment, despite greater secondary invasion. Control strategies for management of widespread non‐native plants to optimize ecosystem outcomes should include more consideration of biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dry mouth is a common perioperative patient complaint. There are a number of treatments used for dry mouth in other settings which are effective. None have been tested previously in the perioperative setting. Interventions to Manage Dry mouth (IM DRY) compared the effect of water and a saliva substitute on mouth dryness. The primary objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a large randomised controlled trial and secondary scientific aims were to assess treatment potential efficacy. Methods: Single blind, pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) of 101 pre-operative elective surgical patients who were randomised to water or saliva substitute (Biotene oral rinse, GlaxoSmithKline, Australia) at a tertiary, university hospital. Dry mouth was assessed by 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and 5-point Likert score. Results: One hundred participants completed follow-up and comprised the analysis dataset. All feasibility outcomes were achieved (recruitment rate > 5 participants a week, >95% completeness of the dataset, study protocol acceptability to staff, acceptability to participants > 66% and adherence to time limits within the protocol). Mean recruitment rate was 6 participants per week. These data were 99% complete. There were no adverse side effects or complications noted. There were no concerns raised by staff regarding acceptability. Overall, there was a mean of 30 min (± SD 5 min) between delivery of the intervention and the assessment, 30 min being the target time. The difference in VAS post intervention was − 11.2 mm (95% CI − 17.3 to − 5.1 mm) for water and − 12.7 mm (95% CI − 18.7 to − 6.7 mm) for saliva substitute. The proportion of patients who had improved dry mouth increased from 52% for water to 62% for saliva substitute. Conclusions: IM DRY successfully achieved its primary feasibility aims: recruitment rate, completeness of these, acceptability and protocol adherence. Saliva substitutes, used in the perioperative management of dry mouth, may be a simple, inexpensive, and low risk solution to help alleviate this common complaint. A large randomised controlled trial is feasible and is currently recruiting (ANZCTR 12619000132145). Ethics and Trial registration: Northern A New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (reference 17/NTA/152). Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Number: 12618001270202). Registered retrospectively 18 October 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L) varieties is an important strategy for the control of leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. This study sought to identify the chromosomal location and effects of leaf rust resistance loci in five Canadian spring wheat cultivars. The parents and doubled haploid lines of crosses Carberry/AC Cadillac, Carberry/Vesper, Vesper/Lillian, Vesper/Stettler and Stettler/Red Fife were assessed for leaf rust severity and infection response in field nurseries in Canada near Swift Current, SK from 2013 to 2015, Morden, MB from 2015 to 2017 and Brandon, MB in 2016, and in New Zealand near Lincoln in 2014. The populations were genotyped with the 90K Infinium iSelect assay and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed. A high density consensus map generated based on 14 doubled haploid populations and integrating SNP and SSR markers was used to compare QTL identified in different populations. AC Cadillac contributed QTL on chromosomes 2A, 3B and 7B (2 loci), Carberry on 1A, 2B (2 loci), 2D, 4B (2 loci), 5A, 6A, 7A and 7D, Lillian on 4A and 7D, Stettler on 2D and 6B, Vesper on 1B, 1D, 2A, 6B and 7B (2 loci), and Red Fife on 7A and 7B. Lillian contributed to a novel locus QLr.spa-4A, and similarly Carberry at QLr.spa-5A. The discovery of novel leaf rust resistance QTL QLr.spa-4A and QLr.spa-5A, and several others in contemporary Canada Western Red Spring wheat varieties is a tremendous addition to our present knowledge of resistance gene deployment in breeding. Carberry demonstrated substantial stacking of genes which could be supplemented with the genes identified in other cultivars with the expectation of increasing efficacy of resistance to leaf rust and longevity with little risk of linkage drag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the dental caries experience of New Zealand children born with orofacial cleft (OFC), to compare this to age‐specific national population‐based data and to investigate any differences by demographic characteristics, cleft type and exposure to community water fluoridation. Methods: Nationwide retrospective study of 554 dental records from 478 children born after 1 January 2000 with OFC were assessed at aged 5 (n = 333) and 12 years (n = 221), with 76 children (15.9%) having records at both ages. Community Oral Health Service records were analysed to determine dental caries experience (dmft/DMFT). Logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of having experienced dental caries (d3mft/D3MFT ≥ 1) and multivariable models for variables including demographic characteristics, cleft type and exposure to community water fluoridation. Results: A higher (49.6%) caries prevalence (dmft ≥ 1) and mean dmft at 5 years old (2.3; SD 3.6) were found in children with OFC than 5‐year‐olds in the general population (prevalence 40.4% and mean dmft 1.8). The 12‐year‐old (37.6%) caries prevalence (DMFT ≥ 1) and mean DMFT 0.8 (SD 1.4) were similar to population‐based data (caries prevalence 37.3% and mean DMFT 0.9). Children with caries (dmf/DMF ≥ 1) had means of 4.8 (SD 3.8) at age 5 and 2.1 (SD 1.4) at age 12 years. Greater caries experience was associated Pacific and Māori ethnicity, and not receiving community water fluoridation. No differences were detected by sex or cleft type. Conclusion: The dental caries experience for 5‐year‐old children with OFC was poor in relation to population‐based data and similar for 12‐year‐olds. Preventive guidelines for children with OFC from an early age should be a priority, along with the extension of community water fluoridation coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To (a) assess nasolabial outcomes across four main cleft subgroups, (b) assess agreement using a categorical and a continuous scoring measure and (c) compare outcomes to international studies.Settings and Sample Population: Analysis of 470 images of which 218 was unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), 128 unilateral cleft lip (UCL), 90 bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and 34 bilateral cleft lip (BCL). Images were taken around five (n = 279) and eight-ten (n = 191) years of age.Materials& Methods: Cropped images were assessed using the Asher-McDade (AM) and a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) by a panel of six raters. Scoring was undertaken for vermillion border and nasal form, symmetry and profile. Analysis was undertaken for each subscore, a total score with sensitivity analysis using a total score based on the subscores for each patient. AM intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed using weighted kappa and for the VAS components reliability was assessed using Pearson correlation.Results: The AM intra-rater reliability was moderate/substantial, whilst inter-rater reliability was fair. The VAS intra-rater correlations were high, and inter-rater correlations were moderate. Better outcomes were found with cleft lip (CL) vs cleft lip and palate (CLP). No differences were found for sex, ethnicity, age and cleft laterality (unilateral). The AM found no difference between unilateral or bilateral. The VAS found bilateral scored worse than unilateral for both CL and CLP.Conclusions: The nasolabial outcomes differ by cleft type. The correlation was relatively high for the VAS whilst the AM had relatively poor reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the amount of bone fill post-secondary alveolar bone grafting for children with cleft in New Zealand.Settings and Sample Population: Retrospective analysis of post-operative intra-oral periapical and upper anterior occlusal radiographs of 45 grafted sites where all grafting was undertaken within the New Zealand public hospital service.Materials and Methods: A modified Kindelan Index and a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to assess the amount of bone fill using intra-oral radiographs by 4 orthodontists experienced in cleft care and who were blind to the patient's identity. Fourteen duplicated radiographs were randomly selected and added to the sample for reliability assessment.Results: The Kindelan Index rated 37.8% Grade 1 (Good), 31.1% rated Grade 2 (Satisfactory), 22.2% rated Grade 3 (Unsatisfactory) and 8.9% Grade 4 (Failure), a combined unsatisfactory/failure rate of 31.1%. The average VAS score was 50 mm ± 24 mm, and there was a strong relationship between Kindelan and VAS assessments. Those patients aged 10-11 years had significantly better outcomes using both assessments compared to those aged <10 and >11. The VAS assessment found that higher caseload surgeons had better outcomes, although the difference was of borderline statistical significance (mean VAS 56 mm vs 44 mm P = 0.07).Conclusions: Contemporary secondary alveolar bone grafting bone fill outcomes in New Zealand are poor when compared to contemporary international studies. These findings indicate a review of secondary bone grafting is required to improve outcomes for New Zealand children with cleft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate dental arch relationships of patients with complete unilateral and complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP/CBCLP) in New Zealand.Setting and Sample Population: Retrospective nationwide observational outcomes study involving 100 CUCLP and 32 CBCLP non-syndromic patients.Material and Methods: Four calibrated assessors, blinded to the origin of the randomized digital models, used the GOSLON (UCLP) and the Bauru-BCLP (BCLP) Yardsticks and a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) (UCLP&BCLP) to assess dental arch relationships. Weighted Kappa statistics were used to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability for the GOSLON/Bauru-BCLP Yardsticks and correlations for the VAS.Results: Intra-rater reliability ranged from 0.57 to 0.88 (GOSLON), 0.62-0.84 (Bauru-BCLP) and 0.45-0.93 (VAS). Inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.62 to 0.86, (GOSLON), 0.48-0.75 (Bauru-BCLP) and 0.64-0.93 (VAS). Of the 100 CUCLP models, 46% had poor/very poor, 28% fair and 26% had good/very good dental arch relationships. Of the 32 CBCLP models, 37.5% were poor/very poor, 40.6% fair and 21.9% had good/very good dental arch relationships. The mean CUCLP VAS score was 50.5 mm (SD 19.9 mm) whilst the mean CBCLP VAS score was 40.0 mm (SD 22.0 mm) and both showed a strong relationship with their respective Yardstick scorings.Conclusion: The dental arch relationships of children in New Zealand with CUCLP are similar to those centres in the Eurocleft and Americleft studies which had less favourable outcomes. Those with CBCLP are inferior to those reported elsewhere. Continued monitoring will allow for tracking of improvement in outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: (a) To establish baseline lateral craniofacial morphology and soft tissue profile outcomes for New Zealand children with complete unilateral and complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP/CBCLP) and determine differences in relation to demographic characteristics including cleft type, sex and ethnicity and (b) To compare these outcomes to similar international studies.Settings and Sample Population: Nation-wide prospective and retrospective cephalometric analysis of 76 patients with CUCLP and 23 patients with CBCLP pre-secondary alveolar bone graft.Materials and Methods: Assessment was undertaken by three experienced orthodontists blinded to patient identity. A total of 13 hard tissue and 8 soft tissue landmarks were identified allowing for an assessment of 16 angular, three linear and one ratio variables. Inter-assessor reliability was determined by pre-defined measurement error thresholds.Results: Inter-assessor reliability of cephalometric landmarks restricted reporting to 10 hard tissue, four soft tissue and one ratio variables. CUCLP had greater midface and mandibular retrusion than CBCLP. Females had greater midface and mandibular prominence and smaller nasal projections. The Pacific and Māori groups had more retrusive midfacial profiles, and the Pacific group had more prominent mandibles. A sub-analysis of New Zealand European CUCLP results found they were closely aligned to Eurocleft and Americleft study centres with less favourable outcomes.Conclusions: The reliability of a number of cephalometric measurements was poor. Lateral craniofacial morphology and soft tissue profile outcomes varied between CUCLP/CBCLP, sex and ethnicity. The New Zealand European outcomes are similar to or less favourable to other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: It is unclear whether social, economic and/or ethnic factors influence parental decision to attend an orthodontic consultation when referred by the Community Dental Services (CDS) in New Zealand. The aim of our study was to identify the reasons for attendance or non-attendance following referral from the CDS in Canterbury. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to parents of 500 children aged 10-13 years randomly selected from the source population of 3604 who had received an orthodontic referral from the Canterbury CDS in 2016. Results: The study had a participation rate of 29.0% (n=143). The ethnic distribution of the respondents was similar to the source population. Children of Asian ethnicity had a lower orthodontic consultation uptake rate (60.0%) than children of Maori (78.6%) or European (74.7%) descent. Children of high socio-economic status (SES) had a higher attendance rate for orthodontic consultation than lower SES children. Around one quarter of respondents who did not seek a consultation cited cost as the main barrier or believed that their child was too young for an orthodontic consultation. Of the 143 respondents, 13.3% claimed that they did not receive an orthodontic referral. Conclusion: In Canterbury, social and ethnic inequalities were apparent in the uptake of orthodontic consultations following referral. Cost was the major barrier to consultation attendance. Improved communication including education between the dental therapist and parents may help raise awareness of the long-term benefits of an early orthodontic referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a broad institutional theory lens, this paper examines the climate change strategies and carbon accounting practices adopted by two New Zealand electricity firms in response to changes in government climate change policies over time (2002–12). The two firms pursue different strategic responses to climate change‐related institutional and economic pressures in order to maintain both legitimacy and a competitive advantage. Five different strategic responses are identified: avoidance, operational conformance, strategic conformance, strategic differentiation, negotiation and manipulation. Firm‐level characteristics are also important drivers of inter‐firm variations in the strategic responses. Further, carbon accounting makes the greatest contribution to carbon reduction when integrated as part of strategic processes that support strategic conformance and strategic differentiation. Carbon monitoring systems, internal carbon information use and carbon disclosure were the main forms of carbon accounting used to realise the different strategies employed. Using an institutional lens, this study examines the strategic responses to climate change and carbon accounting practices of two New Zealand electricity generators over time. The strategic responses adopted balance the need for legitimacy and competitiveness. Carbon accounting drives significant carbon reduction when it supports a strategic conformance or differentiation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although breast-feeding is the recommended way to feed an infant, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is needed for infants who are not breast-fed. Labelling information on infant formula (IF) products aims to enable caregivers (who have already made the decision to use IF) to make informed product choices. Yet, there is limited data on how caregivers understand and use the information provided on IF packaging. The present study aimed to increase understanding of caregivers' interpretation and use of the following label elements on IF products: the nutrition information statement; the ingredients list; and statements around nutrition content and health claims.Design: Qualitative data were obtained from twenty-one focus group discussions. To enable comparison of findings by education level and ethnicity, focus group participants were homogeneous with respect to educational attainment (Australian groups) or ethnic background (New Zealand groups).Setting: Focus groups were conducted in metropolitan and regional areas of Australia and New Zealand.ParticipantsCaregivers (n 136) of formula-fed infants.Results: Framework analysis revealed that caregivers commonly experience difficulties when using labelling information, particularly when trying to identify and understand key differences between products. Moreover, comparing products can be a complex task regardless of education level and ethnicity.Conclusions: Further research is required to determine the most effective strategies for meeting information needs of caregivers and allowing easier identification and understanding of product differences. This is especially important given that the vast range of IF products across large price ranges in the market adds to the complexity of purchase decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia is a serious infection resulting in 20-50 % 90-day mortality. The limitations of vancomycin, the current standard therapy for MRSA, make treatment difficult. The only other approved drug for treatment of MRSA bacteraemia, daptomycin, has not been shown to be superior to vancomycin. Surprisingly, there has been consistent in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory data demonstrating synergy between vancomycin or daptomycin and an anti-staphylococcal β-lactam antibiotic. There is also growing clinical data to support such combinations, including a recent pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) that demonstrated a trend towards a reduction in the duration of bacteraemia in patients treated with vancomycin plus flucloxacillin compared to vancomycin alone. Our aim is to determine whether the addition of an anti-staphylococcal penicillin to standard therapy results in improved clinical outcomes in MRSA bacteraemia.Methods/design: We will perform an open-label, parallel-group, randomised (1:1) controlled trial at 29 sites in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Israel. Adults (aged 18 years or older) with MRSA grown from at least one blood culture and able to be randomised within 72 hours of the index blood culture collection will be eligible for inclusion. Participants will be randomised to vancomycin or daptomycin (standard therapy) given intravenously or to standard therapy plus 7 days of an anti-staphylococcal β-lactam (flucloxacillin, cloxacillin, or cefazolin). The primary endpoint will be a composite outcome at 90 days of (1) all-cause mortality, (2) persistent bacteraemia at day 5 or beyond, (3) microbiological relapse, or (4) microbiological treatment failure. The recruitment target of 440 patients is based on an expected failure rate for the primary outcome of 30 % in the control arm and the ability to detect a clinically meaningful absolute decrease of 12.5 %, with a two-sided alpha of 0.05, a power of 80 %, and assuming 10 % of patients will not be evaluable for the primary endpoint.Discussion: Key potential advantages of adding anti-staphylococcal β-lactams to standard therapy for MRSA bacteraemia include their safety profile, low cost, and wide availability.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02365493 . Registered 24 February 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Whether the release of non‐native insect species benefits or harms ecosystem services has been the subject of debate. In New Zealand, the release of new non‐native dung beetle species was intended to enhance ecosystem services but concerns were raised over possible negative effects. 2. Field cage trials used three newly released dung beetle species to investigate two concerns: that soil disturbance from dung beetle activity increases soil losses in runoff after rainfall; and that dung burial increases survival of infective parasitic nematodes on pasture. 3. Three treatments – dung + beetles, dung‐only, and controls (without dung or beetles) – were applied on each of three soil types with different permeability: sandy loam, clay loam, and compacted clay. 4. Dung beetle activity resulted in significant reductions of 49% and 81% in mean surface runoff volume, depending on simulated rainfall intensity. Amounts of sediment in the runoff did not change under an extreme rainfall simulation, but in a less extreme rainfall simulation the presence of dung beetles resulted in a 97% reduction in mean sediment amount in runoff. 5. The numbers of infective third‐stage nematode larvae recovered from foliage varied considerably between soil types and through time; however, dung beetle activity reduced overall mean nematode numbers on grass around the dung pats by 71%. 6. This study adds to global evidence that dung beetles can improve agricultural ecosystem services by providing data on services that have rarely been investigated: reduced runoff/soil losses through increased soil porosity, and reductions in parasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: A malocclusion has negative impacts on an adolescent's quality of life. Wish For a Smile (WFAS) is a New Zealand health initiative in which orthodontists provide heavily subsidised orthodontic treatment for adolescents whose parents/guardians are unable to afford it. This study documents the impact of a malocclusion on the lives of 151 adolescents who successfully applied for treatment through the WFAS, and the reasons why they/their parent or guardian desired orthodontic treatment. It also reports how not being able to afford orthodontic care impacted on them. Methods: As part of the application process, adolescents and a parent/guardian have to write letters to the WFAS explaining why they desire orthodontic treatment. A descriptive analysis of 151 successful application letters (written between 2012 and 2015 inclusive) was undertaken. Results: Over half of the adolescents mentioned how their malocclusion was affecting their social relationships. More than half reported hiding their mouth in social spaces and half reported being bullied. Parent/guardians also mentioned feeling sad/bad, or "heartbroken" about the emotional toll that a malocclusion and/or peer bullying was having on their child. Many also expressed feeling a sense of failure because of their inability to afford orthodontic treatment. Conclusion: A malocclusion can have a negative impact on the physical health, peer relationships and self-esteem of adolescents, as well as the self-concept of parents/guardians who are unable to afford the orthodontic treatment that their child desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate examiner reliability of scoring intraoral radiographs of bone infill following secondary bone grafting using a categorical scale (modified Kindelan Index) and a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). To investigate the level of clinical experience on the reliability of these assessments. Design: Retrospective study involving 10 clinicians of varying clinical experience who were blind to the patient’s identity. Setting: All grafting was carried out within the New Zealand public hospital service. Patients: Fifty-eight grafts (48 UCLP and 5 BCLP) were assessed with 14 duplicated radiographs randomly added to the sample, making a total of 72 radiographs for assessment. Main Outcome Measures: Weighted kappa was used for intra- and interrater examiner reliability for the categorical scale and correlations for the VAS. Results: Relatively poor intrarater examiner agreement for categorical scoring (median 0.46) was found. Clinicians with greater experience generally recording higher intrarater weighted kappa. The intrarater correlations for the continuous scale (median 0.89) suggest better consistency regardless of the level of experience. The interrater relationships were generally low, with an average of weighted kappa of 0.25 while the overall average VAS correlation was 0.49. For the majority of scorers, there was a relationship between the VAS and the Kindelan Index, with lower VAS scores related to worse Kindelan scores. Conclusions: The use of a VAS produced better intra- and interexaminer reliability than the categorical Kindelan Index and was more consistent despite the level of clinical experience. Further evaluation of the validity of the VAS for the assessment of bone infill is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Together, archaeological evidence and oral histories better inform our understanding of the interaction between abandoned vessel sites and communities. While the maritime and historic archaeological record can reveal salvage and reuse activities, material culture does not always reflect a direct link between the two. In this study of abandoned vessel material salvage and reuse at Rangitoto Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand, oral histories collected from the owners of baches-small and modest holiday homes-serve as a linkage tool that tie the two together. Furthermore, the archaeological and historical significance of this tangible and intangible cultural heritage serves to foreground the Rangitoto Island community's current struggle to have this legacy recognised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]