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Child welfare struggles to manage child abuse and neglect and to seek permanency for children, while being culturally responsive to the communities it serves. Family group conferencing, piloted in New Zealand and now used in the United States and other countries, is a strengths-based model that brings together families and their support systems to develop and carry out a plan that protects, nurtures, and safeguards children and other family members. This article describes the model and a culturally competent method for assessing and adapting the model for the African American, Cherokee, and Latino/Hispanic communities in North Carolina.

New Zealand high school students (N=221) completed a questionnaire that examined the relationship among factors associated with professional psychological help-seeking behavior. Suicidal ideation, attitudes, psychological distress, treatment fears, and gender were some predictors accounting for 23% of students' self-rated help-seeking intentions. Contrary to expectations, higher levels of suicidal ideation led to lower levels of help-seeking intentions for suicidal thoughts. (Author/JDM)

The city of Ōtautahi Christchurch in Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced a succession of disasters over the last decade. Two groups which have worked with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities before, during and after these disasters are the Community Languages Information Network Group (CLING) and Interpreting New Zealand. This paper sets out these groups' key learnings in regards to the complex issue of interpreting experiences of trauma and disaster. In particular, the paper highlights the risks of not engaging professional interpreters in such situations, and underscores the importance of providing interpreters with training that emphasises wellbeing and self-care alongside language skills and ethical considerations (Crezee et al. 2015:77; O'Brien et al. 2018:630; Jaeger et al. 2019:9; Labaf et al. 2019:4; Lai & Costello 2020:70-85;). The paper discusses implications from these learnings, both for language service providers (LSPs) and for agencies that engage their interpreters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a serious sequela of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection associated with significant global mortality. Pathogenesis remains poorly understood, with the current prevailing hypothesis based on molecular mimicry and the notion that antibodies generated in response to GAS infection cross-react with cardiac proteins such as myosin. Contemporary investigations of the broader autoantibody response in ARF are needed to both inform pathogenesis models and identify new biomarkers for the disease. Methods: This study has utilised a multi-platform approach to profile circulating autoantibodies in ARF. Sera from patients with ARF, matched healthy controls and patients with uncomplicated GAS pharyngitis were initially analysed for autoreactivity using high content protein arrays (Protoarray, 9000 autoantigens), and further explored using a second protein array platform (HuProt Array, 16,000 autoantigens) and 2-D gel electrophoresis of heart tissue combined with mass spectrometry. Selected autoantigens were orthogonally validated using conventional immunoassays with sera from an ARF case-control study (n=79 cases and n=89 matched healthy controls) and a related study of GAS pharyngitis (n=39) conducted in New Zealand. Results: Global analysis of the protein array data showed an increase in total autoantigen reactivity in ARF patients compared with controls, as well as marked heterogeneity in the autoantibody profiles between ARF patients. Autoantigens previously implicated in ARF pathogenesis, such as myosin and collagens were detected, as were novel candidates. Disease pathway analysis revealed several autoantigens within pathways linked to arthritic and myocardial disease. Orthogonal validation of three novel autoantigens (PTPN2, DMD and ANXA6) showed significant elevation of serum antibodies in ARF (p < 0.05), and further highlighted heterogeneity with patients reactive to different combinations of the three antigens. Conclusions: The broad yet heterogenous elevation of autoantibodies observed suggests epitope spreading, and an expansion of the autoantibody repertoire, likely plays a key role in ARF pathogenesis and disease progression. Multiple autoantigens may be needed as diagnostic biomarkers to capture this heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size. The numbers of invasive alien species – the subset of alien species that spread widely in areas where they are not native, affecting the environment or human livelihoods – are increasing. Synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders. Invasions have complex and often immense long‐term direct and indirect impacts. In many cases, such impacts become apparent or problematic only when invaders are well established and have large ranges. Invasive alien species break down biogeographic realms, affect native species richness and abundance, increase the risk of native species extinction, affect the genetic composition of native populations, change native animal behaviour, alter phylogenetic diversity across communities, and modify trophic networks. Many invasive alien species also change ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services by altering nutrient and contaminant cycling, hydrology, habitat structure, and disturbance regimes. These biodiversity and ecosystem impacts are accelerating and will increase further in the future. Scientific evidence has identified policy strategies to reduce future invasions, but these strategies are often insufficiently implemented. For some nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity has become a national priority. There have been long‐term successes, such as eradication of rats and cats on increasingly large islands and biological control of weeds across continental areas. However, in many countries, invasions receive little attention. Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. Countries can strengthen their biosecurity regulations to implement and enforce more effective management strategies that should also address other global changes that interact with invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serological assays that detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are critical for determining past infection and investigating immune responses in the COVID-19 pandemic. We established ELISA-based immunoassays using locally produced antigens when New Zealand went into a nationwide lockdown and the supply chain of diagnostic reagents was a widely held domestic concern. The relationship between serum antibody binding measured by ELISA and neutralising capacity was investigated using a surrogate viral neutralisation test (sVNT). Methods: A pre-pandemic sera panel (n = 113), including respiratory infections with symptom overlap with COVID-19, was used to establish assay specificity. Sera from PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients (n = 21), and PCR-negative patients with respiratory symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (n = 82) that presented to the two largest hospitals in Auckland during the lockdown period were included. A two-step IgG ELISA based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) and spike protein was adapted to determine seropositivity, and neutralising antibodies that block the RBD/hACE-2 interaction were quantified by sVNT. Results: The calculated cut-off (>0.2) in the two-step ELISA maximised specificity by classifying all pre-pandemic samples as negative. Sera from all PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were classified as seropositive by ELISA _7 days after symptom onset. There was 100% concordance between the two-step ELISA and the sVNT with all 7+ day sera from PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients also classified as positive with respect to neutralising antibodies. Of the symptomatic PCR-negative cohort, one individual with notable travel history was classified as positive by two-step ELISA and sVNT, demonstrating the value of serology in detecting prior infection. Conclusions: These serological assays were established and assessed at a time when human activity was severely restricted in New Zealand. This was achieved by generous sharing of reagents and technical expertise by the international scientific community, and highly collaborative efforts of scientists and clinicians across the country. The assays have immediate utility in supporting clinical diagnostics, understanding transmission in high-risk cohorts and underpinning longer-term 'exit' strategies based on effective vaccines and therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand's main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Early discharge of patients with presentations triggering assessment for possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is safe when clinical assessment indicates low risk, biomarkers are negative, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) are nonischemic. We hypothesized that the Emergency Department Assessment of Chest Pain Score (EDACS) combined with a single measurement of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs‐cTn) could allow early discharge of a clinically meaningful proportion of patients. Methods: We pooled data from four patient cohorts from New Zealand and Australia presenting to an emergency department with symptoms suggestive of ACS. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 30 days of presentation. In patients with a nonischemic ECG we evaluated the sensitivity for MACE and percentage low risk of every combination of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) concentration and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs‐cTnI) concentration with EDACS. We used a standard smoothing technique on the probability density function for hs‐cTn and EDACS and applied bootstrapping to determine the optimal threshold combinations, namely, the combination that maximized the percentage low risk with ≥98.5% sensitivity for MACE. Results: From 2,536 patients, 2,258 presented without an ischemic ECG of whom 272 (12.1%) had a MACE within 30 days. The optimal threshold for hs‐cTnI was 7 ng/L combined with an EDACS threshold of 16 (36.8% patients low risk). The optimal thresholds for hs‐cTnT were 8 ng/L combined with an EDACS threshold of 15 (30.2% patients low risk). Conclusion: Single measurements of both hs‐cTnI and hs‐cTnT at presentation combined with EDACS to identify over 30% of patients as low risk and therefore eligible for safe early discharge after only one blood draw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ahnea keejeongi Park and Carlton (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), a new genus and new species of New Zealand endemic beetle belonging to the supertribe Faronitae is described. Six previously described species are included to this genus and four species are synonymised as follow: Sagola dissonans Broun, 1921 and S. planicula Broun, 1921 under Ahnea ventralis (Broun, 1912); S. carinata Broun, 1912 and S. lineiceps Broun, 1921 under Ahnea lineata (Broun, 1893). A key to species, habitus photographs, line drawings of diagnostic characters, and distribution maps are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new genera and two new species of New Zealand endemic pselaphine staphylinid beetles are described as follows: Aucklandea Park and Carlton, gen. nov., based on Aucklandea fusca Park and Carlton, sp. nov.; and Leschenea Park and Carlton, gen. nov., based on Leschenea richardi Park and Carlton, sp. nov. Illustrations of habitus and major diagnostic characters, distribution maps, and an identification key of all New Zealand genera of the pselaphine supertribe Faronitae are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera and three new species of New Zealand endemic pselaphine staphylinid beetles belonging to the supertribe Faronitae are described as follows: Chandlerea Park & Carlton, gen. nov., including C. donaldi Park & Carlton, sp. nov.; and Nunnea Park & Carlton, gen. nov., including N. johni Park & Carlton, sp. nov., and N. kuscheli Park & Carlton, sp. nov. A key to species, habitus photographs, line drawings of diagnostic characters and distribution maps for all species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new endemic genus and seven new species of New Zealand pselaphine staphylinid beetles of the super-tribe Faronitae are described as follows: Pseudoexeirarthra Park & Carlton, gen. n. (type species: Sagola spinifer Broun); P. sungmini Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. kwangguki Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. youngboki Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. seiwoongi Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. parkeri Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. hlavaci Park & Carlton, sp. n.; P. nomurai Park & Carlton, sp. n. Three species, S. spinifer Broun, S. colorata Broun, and S. puncticollis Broun, are transferred to the genus Pseudoexeirarthra. Six species are synonymized: S. dilucida Broun, S. guinnessi Broun, S. longicollis Broun, S. longula Broun, and S. rectipennis Broun under P. spinifer (Broun); S. insueta Broun under S. colorata (Broun). A lectotype is designated for P. spinifer (Broun). A key, habitus photographs, line drawings of diagnostic characters, and distribution maps are provided for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and three new species of New Zealand endemic pselaphine staphylinid beetles belonging to the supertribe Faronitae are described as follows: Pseudostenosagola Park and Carlton, gen. nov, Pseudostenosagola coromandelensis Park and Carlton, sp. nov, Pseudostenosagola wellingtonensis Park and Carlton, sp. nov, and Pseudostenosagola solodovnikovi Park and Carlton, sp. nov. In total, 30 specimens were available for study. Illustrations of habitus and major diagnostic characters, distributional maps, and an identification key of all species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic review of the New Zealand genus Exeirarthra Broun is presented. Six species are documented, and three new species are described and illustrated: Exeirarthra maclennanensis Park & Carlton, sp. nov.; Exeirarthra mccollae Park & Carlton, sp. nov.; and Exeirarthra nunni Park & Carlton, sp. nov. Two species, Exeirarthra angustula Broun and Exeirarthra pallida Broun, are synonymized under Exeirarthra enigma Broun. A key, habitus illustrations, and photos and line drawings of diagnostic characters for all Exeirarthra species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that Shirley Erena Murray, named fellow of The Hymn Society, received her certificate from Executive Director Deb Loftis at a hymn conference held in Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand in October 2009. Loftis explained the work of The Hymn Society during the event and she also congratulated the group for holding its first national hymn conference. The conference's theme was "Hope Is Our Song: Peace/Justice/Creation."

The article discusses the use of experiential marketing in the launch of the Mercedes Benz S-Class series of automobiles in New Zealand. A description of experiential marketing is provided. The price range of the automobile series is cited. The results of U.S. surveys of the advantages of the marketing approach in increasing brand awareness are also presented.