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New species and new records of Phrynarachne crab spiders (Araneae, Thomisidae) from Southeast Asia
Two new species of Phrynarachne, P. gorochovi sp. nov. (♀), from Philippines (Luzon) and P. storozhenkoi sp. nov. (♀) from Malaysia (Borneo) are diagnosed, illustrated and described. Two species, P. ceylonica (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1884) and P. decipiens Forbes, 1884 are reported from Laos for the first time and their females are redescribed in detail. The distribution of P. decipiens is discussed
Digital Ruble: What Awaits Consumers of Financial Services?
The full implementation of the digital ruble as a means of payment in Russia, planned for mid-2025, has been postponed indefinitely. This decision creates, in particular, the opportunity to expand research into the potential impact of the digital ruble on the economy. One of the most pressing issues in the field of financial technologies is their impact on consumers of financial services. In connection with the above-mentioned, the purpose of the article is to identify the channels through which the introduction of the digital ruble can have the most significant impact on consumers of financial services. The quantitative study was carried out on the basis of descriptive and regression analysis to test statistical hypotheses. The work uses data from the Bank of Russia on deposit yields, zero-coupon yields, balances on current accounts, data from Frank RG on bank financing of loyalty programmes, as well as data from consolidated financial statements of companies. The article highlights the direct and indirect impact of the digital ruble on consumers of financial services. The direct impact is straightforwardly linked to the emergence of a new liquid payment instrument, cheaper than cashless payments, free of credit risks and available in mobile applications of commercial banks. At the same time, on the basis of the digital ruble, it is potentially possible to introduce additional functions, such as smart contracts. The introduction of digital ruble could lead to increased transparency of financial transactions and change the risk profile in the area of consumer security for financial services. The indirect impact of the digital ruble is associated with increased competition between commercial banks for private clients’ funds. The article shows that such competition has intensified in recent years against the backdrop of the development of mobile banking, the introduction of fast payment systems and the emergence of financial marketplaces. An analysis of the specifics of such competition allows us to conclude that the introduction of the digital ruble encourages banks to expand loyalty programmes and cashback practices, and may also lead to increased misselling and unethical behaviour, which is important to consider within the framework of behavioural supervision. At the same time, based on a quantitative study, it was shown that competition between banks for funds from individual clients has historically not led to an increase in rates on short-term deposits of individuals. Thus, for deposits with a term of up to 90 days in 2012-2025, such rates were 2 percentage points lower than the yield on FLB (Federal Loan Bonds) and 3.6 percentage points lower than rates for non-financial organizations with similar maturity dates (all differences are significant at the 1% level), and as of 2021-2024, such differences in rates have not decreased. The article shows that the scenario of increasing rates on short-term deposits of individuals due to the introduction of the digital ruble is possible, but unlikely
Policies on using artificial intelligence adopted by journals in psychiatry and mental health
Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic publishing is expanding rapidly, raising concerns about authorship, transparency, and editorial standards. Although organisations such as Committee on Publication Ethics and International Council of Medical Journal Editors have proposed guidelines on the use of AI, the extent to which they have been adopted by journals in psychiatry and mental health remains unclear.Objectives: To examine the adoption and content of AI policies in psychiatry and mental health journals indexed in SCImago and to determine whether higher-quartile journals are more likely to include policies related to AI.Methods: Policies related to AI in the guidelines for authors and reviewers were examined for two groups of journals, all indexed under Psychiatry and Mental Health in SCImago in November-December 2024. The two groups were (1) a stratified random sample of 200 journals (50 per quartile) chosen from a total of 578 journals and (2) 25 top-ranked journals in psychiatry and mental health.Results: Among the first group, 78 (39%) journals included policies related to AI in their guidelines or instructions for authors and reviewers, the number being greater in top-quartile journals (56% in Q1 versus 20% in Q4; χ² = 14, P = .003). Of the 78 journals, 69 (88.5%) disallowed AI tools as named authors, an equal number mandated disclosure of the use of AI, and 58 (74.4%) emphasised author accountability. Peer review policies mostly prohibited AI use (n = 47); AI-assisted copy editing was permitted in 56 journals; and policies on AI-generated images varied. None reported using AI detection tools. Among the top 25 journals, 16 (64%) included policies related to AI; all prohibited authorship to AI and required disclosure; and one reported using AI detection tools.Conclusion: Despite the rising use of AI in publishing, most psychiatry and mental health journals, especially the lower-quartile journals, lack policies on such use. Wider adoption and standardisation of policies related to AI are crucial to ensure research integrity and credibility
Non-interventional pharmacovigilance studies - an analysis of real-world data sources in the HMA-EMA catalogs
Real-world data catalogs established by the Heads of Medicines Agencies and the European Medicines Agency (HMA–EMA RWD catalogues) represent a centralized digital approach for broad access to reliable data to ensure patient safety. In this study, RWD catalog analysis was conducted in order to identify best practices and challenges, focusing on finalized non-interventional studies (NISs) with a scope specified as ‘safety’. The results (n = 240) show a predominance of studies required by a pharmaceutical regulator (56.6%) as well as the importance of NIS in pharmacovigilance via inclusion in risk management plans (RMPs) (52%) and broad use of NIS in risk minimization measure (RMM) evaluation. However, the lack of a unified regulatory framework, insufficient published data, and the recognized need for digital tool implementation create the necessity for improvement within the European Union (EU) pharmaceutical legislation
Psychological Factors of (Un)Conventional Online Political Activity Acceptability among Russian Youth
Russian youth represent a significant part of the population, playing a key role in the development of society and possessing high innovative potential. In the context of digitalization, young people, as the main users of digital technologies, have acquired new resources for the formation of political views and civic positions, as well as opportunities for active participation in the socio-political life of the country. However, this process has also increased the vulnerability of the younger generation to the influence of opposition political forces, which recognize its importance and use digital technologies for ideological impact. At the same time, a generalized approach to the study of political activity that ignores modern socio-political and technological changes highlights the need for a more in-depth analysis of the factors determining young people’s political engagement. To date, the role of social capital in the political activity of young people in the digital space remains insufficiently studied, despite its obvious importance. Therefore, this study aims to examine the role of digital literacy in the relationship between social capital and the acceptability of (un)conventional online political activity among Russian youth aged 15 to 25 years. The results of a mediation analysis conducted using structural equation modeling showed that social capital was positively associated with the acceptability of both forms of online political activity, while digital literacy was positively associated with conventional online political activity and negatively associated with unconventional online political activity. Moreover, digital literacy mediated the relationship between social capital and conventional online political activity positively, and with unconventional online political activity negatively. Thus, the study revealed the significant role of social capital and digital literacy in shaping the acceptability of various forms of online political activity among young people, emphasizing their importance for further research in the context of digitalization
Notes on the genus Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae) in Kosovo – Southeast Europe
Background and aims – The genus Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae) comprises ecologically and biogeographically significant taxa in the mountainous regions of the Balkans. Despite its importance, the diversity and distribution of Pulsatilla taxa in Kosovo have remained poorly documented. This study provides an updated overview based on new field data and critical taxonomic assessment. Material and methods – Extensive fieldwork was carried out across various mountain massifs in Kosovo, supplemented by herbarium revisions and morphological comparisons with reference material. Elevational ranges, ecological preferences, and population data were recorded for each taxon. Key results – A total of four species comprising five taxa are confirmed for the flora of Kosovo: Pulsatilla alpina subsp. apiifolia, P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea, P. montana subsp. balkana, P. montana subsp. jankae, and P. vernalis. New distributional records are provided, including the first confirmed presence of P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea in Kosovo and P. vernalis in the Sharri Mountains. Past misidentifications of P. montana subsp. jankae as P. vulgaris subsp. grandis are corrected. Conservation assessments suggest that P. alpina subsp. apiifolia remains nationally endangered, while P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea qualifies as Vulnerable due to its restricted range and occurrence at only two sites. Conclusion – The study clarifies the taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status of Pulsatilla taxa in Kosovo. It highlights the regional importance of certain populations and underscores the need for continued monitoring and habitat protection in light of environmental pressures and climate change. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of plant diversity in the Western Balkans and support evidence-based conservation planning
A revision of a spring-active clade of Prosoeca Schiner, 1867 (Diptera, Nemestrinidae), keystone pollinators from the Greater Cape Floristic Region in South Africa, with descriptions of three new species
Prosoeca Schiner, 1867 is the most diverse genus of Nemestrinidae in Africa and is endemic to southern Africa. The 37 described species in this genus are all thought to be important pollinators for the plants that they visit. A recent phylogenetic study has shown that the diversity of this group is far larger than is formally recognised. Using of the phylogeny published by Theron et al. (2020), the monophyletic clade of six species from the Succulent Karoo that are on the wing during the spring flowering season are revised. The known species are redescribed and three new species are described: Prosoeca ora sp. nov., P. aquilo sp. nov., and P. parva sp. nov. A lectotype is designated for Prosoeca peringueyi Lichtwardt, 1920. DNA barcodes have been generated for five species to aid molecular identification of species
Current insights on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative relations of direct oral anticoagulants and their biotransformation
An intriguing connection explored over the years is the link between neurodegenerative diseases and thrombosis. A number of studies have focused on associations between cardiovascular events and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s. This evolving concept has led to numerous investigations of the role of coagulation factors and innate immune components in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. On the other hand, it is well known that for decades, vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin and acenocoumarol were the only oral anticoagulants available for treating and preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and PE following hip or knee replacement surgeries. They were also used for stroke prevention and for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the need for frequent international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring, clinic visits, and dietary restrictions posed barriers to the optimal use of vitamin K antagonists in real-world practice. The advent of non–vitamin K antagonists, also known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), has provided an important alternative, and they are now recommended as preferred over warfarin or acenocoumarol whenever possible, based on clinical trial findings and real-world evidence for more than 14 years. Thus, the objective of this review is to summarize the latest advancements in the therapeutic applications of DOACs and to present insights into their biotransformation and the impact of the CYP450 enzyme system on their metabolism
Reclaiming the Unwanted: Mining Scientific Gold from multi-trap bycatch
Entomology-based research projects often involve setting up mass-collecting traps to obtain large-scale data on species or communities. Many of these projects gather not only the target taxa but also a large amount of bycatch, which often remains untouched or is even disposed of once the project has ended. Here, we have examined bycatch that has been collected in a project to promote biodiversity in the forests of the Swiss Pre-Alps. Multiple traps were set up in three forest reserves near deadwood, to monitor xylobiontic beetles as bioindicators between 2015–2018. The resulting bycatch was analysed about eight years later. Specimens were sorted, prepared, and in most cases identified to species level. From the 1,105 analysed bycatch individuals, we focused on 254 species, representing the groups Arachnida (Araneae, Opiliones) and Hymenoptera (Anthophila, Chrysididae, Eumeninae, Ichneumonidae, Pompilidae, and Sphecidae sensu lato). Most samples were recorded in flight interception traps near herb layers and in the tree canopy. Remarkably, we recorded two rare ichneumonid species, Casinaria dubia Tschek, 1871 as a first record for Switzerland and Bioblapsis polita (Vollenhoven, 1878) as a first record for Switzerland since 1958. Furthermore, we found the rare European spider Episinus maculipes Cavanna, 1876, representing a first record for eastern Switzerland. Our study highlights the importance of well curated bycatch samples, even beyond the duration of the project. Future utilization of such samples may provide precious insights into the ecology and distribution of rare taxa
Rodent species composition in urban and forested areas in eastern Germany
Zoonoses are major concerns for public health and after the recent pandemic, have been under a global spotlight for their often unpredictable spread and rapid evolution. In particular, the relationship between wildlife biodiversity and zoonoses lies at the core of the challenges of disease dynamics in a changing world. To address the challenge of rodent-borne diseases, transmitted by rodents acting as hosts for various zoonoses and thriving in different environments, we focus on rodent species composition in European temperate forests and urban parks, where human-wildlife interactions are likely to occur. Using live-trapping, we describe rodent communities for integration into an eco-health framework.The dataset introduced here is part of the European project BiodivERsA-BioRodDis (https://www6.inrae.fr/biodiversa-bioroddis), whose goal is to examine the connection between rodent biodiversity, the dynamics of rodent-borne diseases and temporal variations in a changing climate. We provide records of small mammals (Rodentia) captured from forested habitats, with different levels of urbanisation in northeast Germany, within the district of Potsdam (Brandenburg). The trapping took place between winter 2020 and spring 2022 at four different sites. All four sites were sampled in winter 2020, three were revisited in spring 2021 and two in autumn 2021 and spring 2022. This variation was mainly due to logistical constraints and low trapping success at some sites. Using live traps, we collected a total of 620 occurrence records of rodents, including the species Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus agrarius, Myodes glareolus and Microtus arvalis. A subset of the captures (n = 264) was subsequently dissected for pathogen screening and gut microbiome characterisation, not reported here