New Zealand and Australian governments rely heavily on voluntary industry initiatives to improve population nutrition, such as voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling (Health Star Rating [HSR]), industry-led food advertising standards, and optional food reformulation programmes. Research in both countries has shown that food companies vary considerably in their policies and practices on nutrition(1). We aimed to determine if a tailored nutrition support programme for food companies improved their nutrition policies and practices compared with control companies who were not offered the programme. REFORM was a 24-month, two-country, cluster-randomised controlled trial. 132 major packaged food/drink manufacturers (n=96) and fast-food companies (n=36) were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to receive a 12-month tailored support programme or to the control group (no intervention). The intervention group was offered a programme designed and delivered by public health academics comprising regular meetings, tailored company reports, and recommendations and resources to improve product composition (e.g., reducing nutrients of concern through reformulation), nutrition labelling (e.g., adoption of HSR labels), marketing to children (reducing the exposure of children to unhealthy products and brands) and improved nutrition policy and corporate sustainability reporting. The primary outcome was the nutrient profile (measured using HSR) of company food and drink products at 24 months. Secondary outcomes were the nutrient content (energy, sodium, total sugar, and saturated fat) of company products, display of HSR labels on packaged products, company nutrition-related policies and commitments, and engagement with the intervention. Eighty-eight eligible intervention companies (9,235 products at baseline) were invited to participate, of whom 21 accepted and were enrolled in the REFORM programme (delivered between September 2021 and December 2022). Forty-four companies (3,551 products at baseline) were randomised to the control arm. At 24 months, the model-adjusted mean HSR of intervention company products was 2.58 compared to 2.68 for control companies, with no significant difference between groups (mean difference -0.10, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.21, p-value 0.53). A per protocol analysis of intervention companies who enrolled in the programme compared to control companies with no major protocol violation also found no significant difference (2.93 vs 2.64, mean difference 0.29, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.72, p-value 0.18). We found no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in any secondary outcome, except in total sugar (g/100g) where the sugar content of intervention company products was higher than that of control companies (12.32 vs 6.98, mean difference 5.34, 95% CI 1.73 to 8.96, p-value 0.004). The per-protocol analysis for sugar did not show a significant difference (10.47 vs 7.44, mean difference 3.03, 95% CI -0.48 to 6.53, p-value 0.09).In conclusion, a 12-month tailored nutrition support for food companies did not improve the nutrient profile of company products.

For which choices of $X,Y,Z\in \{\Sigma ^1_1,\Pi ^1_1\}$ does no sufficiently strong X-sound and Y-definable extension theory prove its own Z-soundness? We give a complete answer, thereby delimiting the generalizations of Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem that hold within second-order arithmetic.

Understanding the process of seeking long-term care (LTC) in old age helps identify what contributes to delays and inequalities in accessing it. Current research highlights the roles of individual and policy factors, but pays little attention to how these factors interact. This qualitative study aims to fill this gap by identifying facilitating factors and mechanisms in the initial approaches to LTC policies. It examines care-seeking in two towns in northern Italy, where a demand-based approach, high fragmentation and poor coordination pose significant challenges. In a bottom-up approach to policy implementation, the experiences and perspectives of both care-seekers and professionals are integrated. Indeed, the data collection (April 2023–May 2024) triangulates 100+ hours of participant observation and semi-structured or vignette-based interviews. The study finds that care-seeking entails three interrelated steps: recognising care needs, being willing to receive LTC, and reaching an entry point. At each stage, three mechanisms operate at intrapersonal and interpersonal levels and can be promoted by LTC policies to facilitate care-seeking, especially for those experiencing barriers. The mechanisms are (1) taking the initiative to raise awareness of care needs and share information about available solutions; (2) fostering trust between professionals and care-seekers, who often rely on confidential relationships to discuss care arrangements; and (3) combining primary information with tailored guidance on the local offer, enabling care-seekers to make informed decisions. The findings provide actionable insights into policies and practices that facilitate care-seeking, and offer a conceptual framework that explains the driving factors behind this process and its mechanisms.

Metacercariae of Diplostomum spp. are widespread fish parasites. In this study we obtained the first data on infection of Bullhead Cottus koshewnikowi with these larvae in five rivers of northern Europe (Finland and Russia) using molecular and morphological description. Three Diplostomum spp. were revealed in the eyes of bullheads. Diplostomum spathaceum and D. mergi Lineage 3 sensu Georgieva et al. (2013) were found in the lens, while Diplostomum sp. Lineage 6 sensu Blasco-Costa et al. (2014) was found in the retina. We obtained molecular data on these three species and provided morphological characteristics of the latter two species. Partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 were amplified for 20 isolates. Using molecular data, we ascertained the species identification and obtained new information on the life cycles of D. mergi Lineage 3 and Diplostomum sp. Lineage 6. Partial cox1 sequences were used to assess the haplotype diversity of D. mergi Lineage 3 and Diplostomum sp. Lineage 6 in the study area. Discriminant analysis showed that D. mergi Lineage 3 was morphometrically close both to the species of the lens complex (D. mergi Lineage 2, D. mergi, D. nordmanni, and D. parviventosum) and to the species from the retina (D. pungiti, D. volvens). Dimensions of Diplostomum gobiorum lay far outside the confidence interval of D. mergi Lineage 3. Our molecular and morphological data and the new information about the hosts and the distribution of these parasites are a crucial step towards elucidating the diversity and life cycles of these important parasites. The data on the infection of bullheads in the River Utsjoki (a tributary of the River Teno, Finland) with metacercariae of Diplostomum spp. offer some insights into the relationships between the introduced host and the native parasites. Infection of bullheads, which are considered invasive in the Teno River system, with metacercariae of Diplostomum spp. may lead to increased infection levels in resident fish.

Gut health is a 50-billion-dollar (US) industry that is forecast to continue growing. This growth is attributed to our increased understanding and interest in the gut microbiome and its association with many chronic diseases, mental health and gut and autoimmune disorders. In 2024, “dysbiosis”, “gut microbiome” and “gut probiotics” were some of the most commonly google searched words but, what constitutes “good gut health”? There is no exact definition but in clinical practice we may use symptoms as a proxy for gut health, for example normal gastrointestinal function and the absence of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that negatively impact on our quality of life. Consumer research found that consumers regard gut health as well-being and are interested in latest science but that does not inform their purchasing behaviours(1). Interestingly, symptoms of suboptimal gut health, which may include abdominal bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, excessive flatulence, were most likely to influence consumer behaviours.1 In this presentation, I review the latest scientific evidence about foods and dietary patterns that are associated with markers of gut health. I also provide examples of how we can practically educate and advise New Zealanders on implementation of dietary changes that may support sustainable gut health.

Cardiometabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), are common. Approximately one in three deaths annually are caused by CVD in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ)(1). The Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic disease in epidemiological and interventional studies(2,3). However, implementing the Mediterranean diet into non-Mediterranean populations can be challenging(4). Some of these challeanges include facilitating consumption of unfamiliar foods and the cultural and social context of food consumption. AoNZ produces a rich source of high-quality foods consistent with a Mediterranean dietary pattern. He Rourou Whai Painga is collaborative project combining contributions from food industry partners into a Mediterranean Diet pattern and providing foods, recipes and other support to whole household/whānau. The aim was to test if a New Zealand food-based Mediterranean diet (NZMedDiet) with behavioural intervention improves cardiometabolic health and wellbeing in individuals at risk. This presentation will review the background to the research, the process of forming a collaboration between researchers and the food industry, the design and implementation of a complex study design (see protocol paper)(5), with results from the initial randomised controlled trial. We conducted several pilot studies(6,7,8) to inform the final design of the research, which was a combination of two randomised controlled trials (RCT 1 and 2) and a longitudinal cohort study. RCT-1 compared 12-weeks of the NZMedDiet to usual diet in participants with increased cardiometabolic risk (metabolic syndrome severity score (MetSSS) >0.35). The intervention group were provided with food and recipes to meet 75% of their energy requirements, supported by a behavioural intervention to improve adherence. The primary outcome measure was MetSSS after 12 weeks. Two hundred individuals with mean (SD) age 49.9 (10.9)yrs with 62% women were enrolled with their household/whānau. After 12 weeks, the mean (SD) MetSSS was 1.0 (0.7) in the control (n = 98) and 0.8 (0.5) in the intervention (n = 102) group; estimated difference (95% CI) of -0.05 (-0.16 to 0.06), p=0.35. A Mediterranean diet score (PyrMDS) was greater in the intervention group 1.6 (1.1 to 2.1), p<0.001, consistent with a change to a more Mediterranean dietary pattern. Weight reduced in the NZMedDiet group compared with control (-1.9 kg (-2.0 to -0.34)), p=0.006 and wellbeing, assessed by the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, improved across all domains p<0.001. In participants with increased cardiometabolic risk, food provision with a Mediterranean dietary pattern and a behavioural intervention did not improve a metabolic risk score but was associated with reduced weight and improved quality of life.

Masters athletes tend to have higher intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc when compared to Australian national population data from similar age groups(1). However, little is known about the diets of New Zealand Olympians as they get older. This study aimed to describe the micronutrient intakes of New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes over the age of 60 years and make comparisons with National Nutrition Survey data. Thirty-three individuals (mean age 76±8 years, n=27 male) who had represented New Zealand at an Olympic or Commonwealth Games participated in this study. Dietary intake was assessed using three 24-h diet recalls. The first recall was conducted face to face in the participant’s home and the second and third were completed over a voice or video call on non-consecutive days following this. All recalls were performed using a multiple-pass technique and entered into FoodWorks dietary analysis software (Version 9, Xyris Software Ltd., Brisbane, Australia). Mean intakes across the three recalls were used to represent the intake of each individual.This study was approved by the University of Otago Ethics Committee (Health; H23/054, April 2023).The mean intakes of iron (males 13.3±5.1 mg, females 9.9±1.9 mg) and zinc (males 10.7±4.0 mg, females 9.6±1.9 mg) in Olympians were similar to those reported in those over 70 y in the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey, but more than 60% of Olympians had intakes below the estimated average requirements for these nutrients. Intakes of calcium (males 1048±474 mg, females 810±139 mg) and selenium (males 66.7±49.1 µg, females 48.4±17.7 µg) were higher in Olympians when compared to the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey data, however 39% and 61% of Olympians still had intakes below the estimated average requirements, respectively. While this group of older New Zealand Olympians did have higher intakes of some nutrients than a representative sample of their peers, a marked number are still at risk of inadequate intakes and may benefit from a nutrition intervention to improve the overall quality and adequacy of their diet.

Fossil crinoids from the Ordovician–Silurian boundary interval (~ 443.8 million years) are known from relatively few locations worldwide due to a near-global unconformity that formed from eustatic sea-level fall. This rock record bias has severely hindered study of the timing, magnitude, biogeographic signature, and extinction mechanisms of the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME). Crinoids underwent a significant faunal transition between the Late Ordovician and early Silurian that resulted in major shifts between dominant clades, but the driving mechanisms and precise timing of this transition remain unclear. Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada) preserves one of the few Late Ordovician–early Silurian successions of highly fossiliferous, shallow-water rocks that includes the Ordovician–Silurian boundary, making fossils from this region instrumental for better understanding the LOME and Ordovician–Silurian crinoid faunal turnover.

Here we report on a new flexible crinoid, Anticosticrinus natiscotecensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Ordovician–Silurian boundary of Anticosti Island. Phylogenetic analysis of Middle Ordovician–early Silurian flexibles recovers Anticosticrinus natiscotecensis n. gen. n. sp. as a member of family Anisocrinidae. We quantified stratigraphic age uncertainty of A. natiscotecensis using a Bayesian approach for estimating tip-occurrence times in a phylogenetic context. Although results do not provide unequivocal support for the specimen’s precise stratigraphic age, the maximum a posteriori estimate indicates a late Hirnantian age. Regardless of its true age, recognition of Anticosticrinus natiscotecensis provides additional data for evaluating the timing of extinction in flexible crinoids, their diversification and increasing dominance during the Silurian, and crinoid faunal turnover between the Ordovician and Silurian.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/864738dd-3fc9-435b-a83c-e19fd4f6Ad9d

Motivated political reasoning is a central phenomenon in political psychology, but no scholarly consensus exists as to its cause. In one influential account, motivated political reasoning is caused by goals to control emotional states. This explanation is often assumed, but has rarely been tested empirically. It implies, I argue, that individual differences in how people control their emotions (i.e., in emotion regulation strategies) should influence outcomes caused by motivated political reasoning, such as perceptual divides over politically relevant facts. I hypothesize such perceptual divides to be negatively associated with emotional acceptance and positively associated with cognitive reappraisal—two key emotion regulation strategies. I test these hypotheses in the specific context of reasoning about facts related to immigration politics in Denmark using a mix of experimental and cross-sectional survey data from three nationally representative samples of the Danish voter population (total N = 4186). In the specific context of the present study, the results do not support the often-assumed idea that motivated political reasoning is driven by efforts to regulate emotions. These findings raise important questions about the conditions under which emotion regulation might play a role in motivated political reasoning.

Through ethnographical, historical, archival, and analytical lenses, this article explores Zheng Xiaoying’s (1929–) Mandarin re-translations of Das Lied von der Erde as a prism that refracts critical light on intersections of translation, epistemology, interculturality, and post-/decoloniality. The article first provides a reception history of Das Lied in China to contextualize Zheng’s re-translations, and then examines her archives to discuss the cultural dynamics of translation and musical knowledge-making in China. The article ends with a provocation from Hong Kong to reflect on the stakes of celebrating translation as a theoretical apparatus for transnational music-historical flows and decolonial goals, and to position translation in intercultural musical exchange as an arbiter of knowledges, cultures, nationhood, and politics.

The parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the important parasitoids used for the biological control of larval stages of moths such as Pyralidae and Noctuidae, which include major agricultural, orchard, and stored product pests. This wasp species is widely utilised in biological control programmes targeting these economically significant lepidopteran pests. In this study, the sublethal effects of four insecticides (tetranelypyrole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, and spirotetramat) on the biological parameters of the parasitoid wasp H. hebetor were investigated using demographic toxicology methods. The parasitoid wasp was reared on larvae VI of the Mediterranean flour moth in a growth chamber (27 ± 2°C, 65 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (light:dark) hours). The estimated LC25 values from the bioassay experiments on the adult stage of the wasp were used. The estimated LC25 values were 30.8, 130.8, 807, and 34.2 µg ai/L for tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, and spirotetramat pesticides, respectively. The results showed that the net reproductive rates (R0) due to treatment by tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, spirotetramat, and control were 50.25, 50.66, 64.72, 57.49, and 71.33 females per generation, respectively. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) was 0.226, 0.240, 0.242, 0.238, and 0.259 females/female/generation for tetraniliprole, flupyradifurone, flubendiamide, spirotetramat, and control, respectively. The population parameters calculated included the age-stage age-specific survival rate (lx) and age-specific fecundity of the total population (mx). The demographic toxicology analysis showed that tetraniliprole had the highest toxicity, while flubendiamide had the lowest toxicity to adult wasps. In case of conducting additional field tests and confirming the laboratory results, it can be concluded that the insecticides flupyradifurone and flubendaimide may be suitable options for integrated pest management programs.

The financialisation of eldercare has become an internationally widespread phenomenon with significant implications. Previous literature has shown how finance-controlled providers (FCPs) initially launch their eldercare services throughout urban areas, but we know little about the ways that these providers subsequently expand their services. Focusing on nursing homes in Swedish eldercare, our aim with this paper is to develop new knowledge about the expansion strategies guiding FCPs. Deploying a Bourdieusian field perspective to analyse rich document data from Sweden’s three largest FCPs, we found that they sensed ‘booming opportunities’ following demographic trends among older citizens and economic difficulties within municipalities. However, we also find that FCPs perceived ‘looming challenges’ deriving from labour shortages and profit debates in the public sector, indicating demographic trends and economic difficulties were tough to leverage as opportunities. FCPs attempted to overcome such challenges through expansion strategies centred on acquiring eldercare providers and – most notably – building nursing homes. Our findings advance the literature on eldercare financialisation by highlighting how FCPs, in devising expansion strategies, not only adopt financial tools but also incorporate field perceptions. These strategies are ultimately utilised by FCPs to expand their positions as policy actors throughout welfare states that have undergone market-inspired reforms.