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Are we really becoming more beautiful? Unrealistic expectations in performing aesthetic interventions
No full textExpectations are beliefs or assumptions about future events; they allow individuals to be prepared and guide their behaviour when the anticipated situation occurs. Cognitive biases represent judgements about a situation which deviate from norm and rationality. Unrealistic optimism is the tendency for people to believe that a personal future outcome will be more favourable than that suggested by a relevant, objective standard. A growing number of individuals undergo into aesthetic interventions to their body, motivated by interpersonal and/or societal factors. Not all of these individuals are satisfied with the results of the interventions and the unrealistic expectations about the interventions is a contributing factor, alongside with other situational factors. Both clients and aesthetic professionals must be aware of their (unrealistic) expectations regarding aesthetic interventions I order to make the most appropriate decisions
Cutaneous biophysical factors related to age and body location
No full textThe biophysical properties of human skin, such as hydration, elasticity, sebum content, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), are influenced by both age and body location. These factors play a critical role in dermatological health and the efficacy of skincare products. Aging is generally associated with decreased hydration, elasticity, and sebum production, while TEWL increases, indicating a decline in skin barrier function. Additionally, different anatomical locations exhibit distinct biophysical characteristics due to varying densities of sebaceous glands and exposure to environmental factors. For instance, sebaceous gland-rich areas like the forehead show higher sebum content, while the palms exhibit lower hydration levels. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research on the effects of age and body location on skin biophysical properties to guide future dermatological studies and skincare product development
Otoliths in situ in Pinichthys shirvanensis Bannikov, 2021 (Stromateidae) from the Tarkhanian (Langhian, Middle Miocene) of the northern Caucasus (Russia)
No full textOtolith finds in situ are important for connecting the independent data sets of articulated fish skeletons and isolated otoliths in the fossil record. Here we describe an otolith in situ retrieved from a skeleton of the stromateid Pinichthys shirvanensis Bannikov, 2021, which was collected from the Tarkhanian (Langhian, Middle Miocene) from the prolific Pshekha River locality in the Krasnodar Region of the northern Caucasus, Russia. It represents the first find of an otolith in situ made in a fossil stromateoid skeleton. The extracted otolith is compared to fossil otolith-based species allocated to the genus Pampus. One of these species is being reallocated in the process to Pinichthys: Pinichthys steurbauti (Schwarzhans, 1994) from the late Oligocene to early Middle Miocene in the North Sea Basin
When opposites attract: a syninclusion of extinct mites and a bradytelic bristly millipede in Baltic amber
No full textAmber resin is known for its exceptional preservations thanks to quick encapsulation of animals and plant material. Fast encapsulation not only helps preserve detailed organisms, but it also offers a glimpse into “frozen behaviors” from up to hundreds of million years, which provide information into the configuration of past ecosystems. We here investigated a syninclusion preserved in Baltic amber (~40 mya) consisting of a fossilized bristly millipede and two mite specimens, located in close proximity to the millipede’s ventral side. The two mites are representatives of Glaesacarus rhombeus, a frequently reported species of mite in Eocene amber whose lineage is considered to be now extinct. The bristly millipede is a female adult identified as a representative of Polyxenus. The specimen exhibits remarkable morphological similarities to the extant species Polyxenus lagurus, indicating the possibility of P. lagurus thriving since the Eocene. The striking persistence of morphological traits over millions of years suggests a stable ecological niche and effective adaptive strategies in Polyxenus. This unexpected association sheds new light on the ecosystem of Eocene forests and the potential effectiveness of defensive mechanisms, already present at that time, since one of the two mites is touching and seemingly surrounded by the posterior defensive setae of the millipede. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of the life of fossil Polyxenida and the evolutionary stability of Polyxenus, highlighting their long-term evolutionary resilience and success
Does intraspecific variation in juvenile Late Cretaceous ammonoids correlate with their systematic position, longevity and paleogeography?
No full textPhenotypic intraspecific variation of organisms is essential for evolution and, thus, has the potential to provide crucial insights into evolutionary dynamics. Additionally, ontogeny is often intricately linked with the evolutionary trajectories of organisms. In this study, we explore the relationship between the magnitude and ontogenetic pattern of intraspecific variation, and the interrelationships of organisms, their geographic distribution, and species duration. We analyzed the intraspecific variation in the whorl expansion rate (WER) of several Late Cretaceous ammonoid species, including Hypophylloceras ramosum, Phyllopachyceras ezoense, Gaudryceras tenuiliratum, Tetragonites glabrus, T. popetensis, Damesites damesi, Tragodesmoceroides subcostatus, Subprionocyclus minimus, Yezoites puerculus (all from Hokkaido, Japan), as well as Scaphites whitfieldi and Hoploscaphites comprimus (both from North America). Our results reveal a weak to moderate, negative correlation between the magnitude of intraspecific variation and geographic distribution. The correlation between intraspecific variation and species duration is weak. Notably, scaphitid and phylloceratid ammonoids exhibit a higher degree of intraspecific variation compared to other species, although no significant differences are apparent within each family. Additionally, scaphitid species from both Japan and North America display similar ontogenetic patterns of intraspecific variation. Hypophylloceras ramosum exhibits a pattern of intraspecific variation, differing from other normally coiled ammonoids. In other taxa, the pattern among species cannot be distinguished. These discoveries suggest that intraspecific variation, geographic distribution, and species duration are, at least, not positively correlated. However, contrary to previous studies, our data suggest a potential link between intraspecific variation and the interrelationships of species (relative phylogenetic position). Further research involving the analysis of more taxa, multiple morphological parameters examined over longer ontogenetic stages, and the development of a robust phylogenetic hypothesis are necessary to better understand these associations
Synopeas ruficoxum Buhl (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae) is a natural enemy of soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae)
No full textPlatygastridae (Hymenoptera) is known as a ‘dark taxon’ as it is highly diverse and understudied. Within Platygastridae, one of the largest genera is Synopeas Förster, species of which parasitize Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). This study identifies a new host association between these two families, with Synopeas ruficoxum Buhl as the second reported parasitoid of soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné. Parasitoids were reared from soybean stems infested with R. maxima collected in Nebraska, USA. Furthermore, PCR assays confirmed that R. maxima larvae are parasitized by S. ruficoxum in the field. All S. ruficoxum specimens were female, suggesting that this may be an asexually reproducing population. We found that some, but not all, S. ruficoxum were infected with a bacterium, Wolbachia, known to mediate asexual reproduction in other insects, suggesting other factors may be responsible for the all-female population. Publicly available barcoding data allowed us to determine that S. ruficoxum is also present in Eastern Canada, which is beyond the known geographic range of R. maxima. This suggests that S. ruficoxum has other hosts or that the geographic range of R. maxima is broader than currently documented. A redescription and diagnostic data for S. ruficoxum are provided, advancing the ability to use this parasitoid for biological control of R. maxima
A survey of Orchestina Simon, 1882 (Araneae, Oonopidae) from Xishuangbanna, China, with descriptions of eight new species
No full textEight new species and one known species of the oonopid spider genus Orchestina Simon, 1882 are described or recorded based on material collected from forest canopy of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, southwestern China: O. alata sp. nov. (♂♀), O. aureola Tong & Li, 2011 (♂♀), O. caixiaae Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), O. longituba Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), O. qingyuani Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), O. subconcava Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), O. sublongituba Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), O. tentoria Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) and O. xuexing Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀). An identification key to these nine species is provided
Review: long-term trends of pesticide residues in the Danube River Basin
No full textPesticides play an important role in boosting agricultural production by controlling pests. Pesticides can be algicides, antimicrobials, disinfectants, herbicides, insecticides, molluscicides, pheromones, rodenticides (raticides), and biopesticides. Despite regulations, pesticide pollution remains a threat to human health, food security, and the environment. Pesticides can harm the environment, affecting water quality and biodiversity, and can be toxic to non-target species. This study aimed to assess the impact of pesticide residues on the surface waters of the Danube River through concentrations determined in the period 1995–2023 in the Danube River Basin. In the present study, scientific techniques were used to collect scientific evidence, consulting academic literature databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, MDPI, etc. The study also looked at the quantities of pesticides used in the countries of the Danube River Basin compared to agricultural production during 2014–2022. Five compounds from the pesticide class were selected from the literature. This selection was based on the frequency of determination in surface waters from the Danube River Basin. Pesticides have a negative effect on both the aquatic ecosystem and humans, directly affecting the proper functioning of the body. Continuous monitoring of pesticide residues is essential for determining the quality of the Danube water, as well as for biodiversity
A framework for the assessment of outreach drawers in insect collections
No full textInsect research collections often include outreach drawers displaying specimens to enhance public awareness and access to scientific knowledge at various events. Despite their educational value, there is limited understanding of how these drawers are designed, used, or evaluated for quality. As a first step towards understanding these aspects, we surveyed members of the community who use insect drawers for public outreach. Survey results indicate that curators and collection managers consider outreach drawers important and use them widely at events, though they are rarely assessed beyond aesthetics and/or anecdotal audience feedback. The number and thematic scope of these drawers vary significantly among institutions, from as few as 3 to more than 50, and covering topics from collection history to pollinator conservation. However, few institutions display these collections online, limiting access to in-person events. Their maintenance and development are also often constrained by limited funding and staff availability. To guide decisions and efforts to enhance the educational impact and accessibility of outreach drawers, we introduce a quick-assessment tool based on five criteria: information, relevance, aesthetics, potential for engagement and inspiration. The next step is to apply appropriate tools to measure public engagement with these displays
Mitigating Cognitive Biases in Predicting Student Dropout: Global and Local Explainability with Explainable Boosting Machine
No full textThis study explores the application of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques to mitigate cognitive biases in predicting student dropout. Focusing on the Explainable Boosting Machine (EBM), we compare its performance and explainability with Logistic Regression and XGBoost models. While EBM and Logistic Regression have inherent explainability, we employ SHAP and Morris Sensitivity Analysis for XGBoost to provide both local and global explanations. Our findings indicate that the inherently interpretable nature of EBM supports clear and actionable decision-making in educational settings. When integrated with additional XAI methods for comparative analysis with models like Logistic Regression and XGBoost, the approach can further enhance the understanding of key factors contributing to student dropout