A Spatio-Temporal Ensemble Deep Learning Architecture for Real-Time Defect Detection during Laser Welding on Low Power Embedded Computing Boards.

In modern production environments, advanced and intelligent process monitoring strategies are required to enable an unambiguous diagnosis of the process situation and thus of the final component quality. In addition, the ability to recognize the current state of product quality in real-time is an important prerequisite for autonomous and self-improving manufacturing systems. To address these needs, this study investigates a novel ensemble deep learning architecture based on convolutional neural networks (CNN), gated recurrent units (GRU) combined with high-performance classification algorithms such as k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and support vector machines (SVM).

Communication in high risk ante-natal consultations: a direct observational study of interactions between patients and obstetricians.

Background: Effective communication is crucial to any doctor-patient consultation, not least in pregnancy where the outcome affects more than one person. While higher levels of patient participation and shared decision making are recognised as desirable, there is little agreement on how best to achieve this. Most previous research in this area is based on reported data such as interviews or surveys and there is a need for more fine-grained analysis of authentic interaction.

Cardiac disease in pregnancy and the multidisciplinary team: the Wellington experience.

Aim: To define the range and severity of cardiac disease in pregnant women in New Zealand, as well as the maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with the background obstetric population.

Methods: We retrospectively audited pregnant women with cardiac comorbidity seen by a multidisciplinary team at a tertiary referral centre consisting of midwives, cardiologists, obstetricians and anaesthetists in 2016-2017.

Results: Seventy-two women were referred to the multidisciplinary team.

Severe maternal morbidity due to sepsis: The burden and preventability of disease in New Zealand.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic condition that appears to be increasing in the obstetric population. Clinical detection can be difficult and may result in increased morbidity via delays in the continuum of patient care.

Aims: To describe the burden of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) caused by sepsis in New Zealand and investigate the potential preventability.

Maternal supplementation alone with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 during pregnancy and breastfeeding does not reduce infant eczema.

Background: In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, we previously found that the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) taken by mothers from 35 weeks of gestation until 6 months post-partum if breastfeeding and their child from birth to age 2 years halved the risk of eczema during the first 2 years of life. We aimed to test whether maternal supplementation alone is sufficient to reduce eczema and compare this to our previous study when both the mother and their child were supplemented.

Methods: In this 2-centre, parallel double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, the same probiotic as in our previous study (HN001, 6 × 10 colony-forming units) was taken daily by mothers from 14-16 weeks of gestation till 6 months post-partum if breastfeeding, but was not given directly to the child.

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in Pregnancy on Postpartum Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.

Background: Probiotics may help to prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression through several putative mechanisms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) given in pregnancy and postpartum on symptoms of maternal depression and anxiety in the postpartum period. This was a secondary outcome, the primary outcome being eczema in the offspring at 12months of age.

Early pregnancy probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 may reduce the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomised controlled trial.

The study aims to assess whether supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) can reduce the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel trial was conducted in New Zealand (NZ) (Wellington and Auckland). Pregnant women with a personal or partner history of atopic disease were randomised at 14-16 weeks' gestation to receive HN001 (6×109 colony-forming units) (n 212) or placebo (n 211) daily.

The diagnostic role of ventilation/perfusion scans versus computed tomography pulmonary angiography in obstetric patients investigated for pulmonary embolism at Wellington Hospital from 2010 to 2012.

Aim: To develop best practice clinical guidelines for the use of ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning and computed tomography perfusion angiography (CTPA) in pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Method: Retrospective analysis of the clinical findings and radiologic investigation for pulmonary embolism (PE) in obstetric women at Wellington Hospital from 2010 to 2012.

Results: Fifty-four women were investigated for PE with a V/Q scan or CTPA, including 29 antenatal women and 25 postnatal women.

The Probiotics in Pregnancy Study (PiP Study): rationale and design of a double-blind randomised controlled trial to improve maternal health during pregnancy and prevent infant eczema and allergy.

Background: Worldwide there is increasing interest in the manipulation of human gut microbiota by the use of probiotic supplements to modify or prevent a range of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Probiotic interventions administered during pregnancy and breastfeeding offer a unique opportunity to influence a range of important maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of the Probiotics in Pregnancy Study (PiP Study) is to assess if supplementation by the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 administered to women from early pregnancy and while breastfeeding can reduce the rates of infant eczema and atopic sensitisation at 1 year, and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus, bacterial vaginosis and Group B Streptococcal vaginal colonisation before birth, and depression and anxiety postpartum.

Outcomes in HrHPV-positive women with low grade cervical smears and normal or low grade initial colposcopy results.

Aim: To determine outcomes in HrHPV-positive women with low grade cervical smears and normal or low grade initial colposcopy biopsy results in a cohort of women over a 2-year follow-up period.

Background: The revised National Cervical Screening (NCS) programme guidelines in New Zealand were implemented in October 2009. The guidelines state that women 30 years and older should undergo reflex HPV testing.

Is obstetrics and gynaecology going the distance?

Aims: To determine how distance learning should be delivered to trainee interns in New Zealand, and compare these methods with the views of teachers.

Background: Many sixth-year medical students (trainee interns) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) are placed in provincial centres. Feedback surveys suggested that these students felt disadvantaged using distance education compared with students at the main base.