The genome sequence of the Oak Beauty, Biston strataria (Hufnagel, 1767).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Biston strataria (the Oak Beauty; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 424.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 16 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.61 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 18,406 protein coding genes.

There Is no Universal Standard of Beauty.

This article discusses the various factors that contribute to facial beauty and the different contexts in which they are significant. The authors examine the roles of the golden ratio, ideal proportions, symmetry, and specific facial features in what constitutes an attractive face. They also investigate the influence of cultural and evolutionary perspectives on facial beauty and the impact of social media on our perception of beauty. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the topic and emphasises the significance of facial beauty and its impact on our lives. The authors acknowledge that the concept of beauty is difficult to define with absolute precision, and that the objective-subjective argument regarding facial beauty remains unsolved. However, they argue that physical attributes undoubtedly influence perceptions of attractiveness, but beauty extends beyond surface-level features. They also suggest that embracing diversity in beauty standards fosters a more inclusive society that celebrates the unique qualities of every person.Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Aesthetic valence: Psychophysical perspectives.

Comparisons of aesthetic valence and of sensory magnitude are subject to similar order effects, indicating an evolved mechanism that sharpens also aesthetic discrimination. As the foundation of pleasantness and aesthetic valence of an object, an optimal level of evoked arousal or, in more recent research, of information load, has been proposed. According to discrepancy theory, this evoked effect is modulated by the object's deviation from the current adaptation level (AL). The AL is built up and updated by pooling recent stimulation. A model based on these concepts is proposed here, and it is illustrated by results of empirical studies by the author's students. For everyday objects such as cars and ladies' clothes, rated beauty was related by a U-shaped function to rated modernity. Minimal beauty occurred for intermediate modernity. For ladies' clothes, this minimum was situated higher on the modernity scale for females and extraverts. As modernity can be seen as the amount of deviation from the AL which represents the usual, this shift could be explained by faster upward adjustment of the AL. In contrast, for paintings the relation between modernity and beauty was inversely U-shaped. This could be due to paintings intrinsically carrying more information than other objects, as indicated by ratings of hard-to-access, with which rated beauty had an inverse U-shaped relation. In a factor-analytic study of preference for 42 paintings four orthogonal factors were extracted, interpreted as High and Low modernity, and High and Low information content. This could yield a rudimentary empirical typology of art.

The Cultural Evolution and Social Pressures of Liposuction Among Iraqi Women: Navigating Modern Beauty Standards Amidst Conservative Traditions.

This editorial explores the impact of societal transformation on Iraqi women's lives, particularly concerning beauty standards and cosmetic procedures like liposuction. It examines the influences of modernization, social media, and social pressures juxtaposed with traditional conservative values. The transition from repressive regimes to more open, albeit unstable, political landscapes has led to significant shifts in women's roles, with increased conservatism contrasting with emerging modernist influences. The role of social media in amplifying modern beauty ideals creates internal conflicts for women striving to balance these with traditional expectations. The growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures indicates a shift toward integrating modern beauty standards within Iraqi society.

Sleeping Beauty mRNA-LNP enables stable rAAV transgene expression in mouse and NHP hepatocytes and improves vector potency.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector gene delivery systems have demonstrated great promise in clinical trials but continue to face durability and dose-related challenges. Unlike rAAV gene therapy, integrating gene addition approaches can provide curative expression in mitotically active cells and pediatric populations. We explored a novel in vivo delivery approach based on an engineered transposase, Sleeping Beauty (SB100X), delivered as an mRNA within a lipid nanoparticle (LNP), in combination with an rAAV-delivered transposable transgene. This combinatorial approach achieved correction of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in the neonatal Spfash mouse model following a single delivery to dividing hepatocytes in the newborn liver. Correction remained stable into adulthood, while a conventional rAAV approach resulted in a return to the disease state. In non-human primates, integration by transposition, mediated by this technology, improved gene expression 10-fold over conventional rAAV-mediated gene transfer while requiring 5-fold less vector. Additionally, integration site analysis confirmed a random profile while specifically targeting TA dinucleotides across the genome. Together, these findings demonstrate that transposable elements can improve rAAV-delivered therapies by lowering the vector dose requirement and associated toxicity while expanding target cell types.

Bad beauty: Aesthetic judgments are influenced by references to morally contentious content in photographs.

Affective responses can influence evaluative judgments, but how are subjective beauty ratings affected by references to morally contentious elements in aesthetic stimuli? In an online experiment (N = 460), we investigated the relationship between two types of descriptive texts (Neutral vs. Negative) and the beauty ratings of 25 photographs that depict sources of environmental pollution. For each photograph, the neutral descriptive text contained general information, whereas the negative descriptive text addressed the pollution source. Further, we explored whether this relationship is mediated by changes in positive and negative affect, and how it interacts with the biospheric values of participants. Our results showed that (1) participants in the Negative Condition rated the photographs as less beautiful than in the Neutral Condition, (2) this relationship was partially mediated by changes in negative affect, and (3) in the Negative Condition, participants with higher levels of biospheric values rated the photographs as less beautiful. Our results indicate that individual values, as well as affective responses induced by aesthetic stimuli, directly influence subjective beauty. This aligns with current theoretical frameworks and fills a gap in experimental research. Finally, we discuss limitations and directions for future studies. PSYCHINFO CLASSIFICATION CODE: 2340.

The origins and development of aesthetics.

All people (and some other animals) have aesthetic responses to sensory stimulation, responses of emotional pleasure or displeasure. These emotions vary from one person and culture to another, yet they share a common mechanism. To survive, an adaptive animal (as opposed to a tropic animal) needs to become comfortable with normality and to have slight abnormalities draw attention to themselves. Walking through a jungle you need to notice a tiger from a single stripe: if you must wait to see the whole animal, you are unlikely to survive. In Homo sapiens, the brain's adaptive neurochemistry does this naturally, partly because the brain's neuronal networks are structured to react efficiently to fractal structures, structures that shape much of nature. In addition, previous associations may turn a slight variation from normal into feelings of either pleasure or danger. The details of these responses-what is normal and what variations feel like-will depend upon an individual's experience, but the mechanism is the same, no matter whether a person is tasting a wine, seeing a face or landscape, or hearing a song. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.

A Gaze into the Eyebrow Standards of Asian Versus Caucasian Women.

BACKGROUND: Eyebrow position affects perceived facial expression and youthfulness, and its modification is a key component of facial rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: This investigation aimed to assess the preferred vertical eyebrow position, apex location, and eyebrow shape in Caucasian and Asian individuals and to analyze gaze patterns during aesthetic judgment using eye-tracking technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 76 Asian and Caucasian volunteers with no medical background. Eye movements were captured with a Tobii Pro Nano eye-tracker. Participants viewed AI-generated images of Caucasian and Asian females with varied eyebrow positions (ratios 1:1.3 to 1:2.5), shapes (angles 8° to 20°), and apex positions. Aesthetic preferences were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Eye-tracking metrics and aesthetic ratings were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and bivariate correlations. RESULTS: Both genders across ethnicities preferred a moderate eyebrow position ratio of 1:1.6. For eyebrow shapes, a 12° angle received the highest ratings, while extremes were less favored, indicating a preference for moderately curved eyebrows. The most appealing apex position was above the lateral canthus for Asians, and halfway between the lateral limbus and lateral canthus for Caucasians. Eye-tracking revealed longer fixations on unattractive features, suggesting more complex cognitive processing, while attractive features were processed more efficiently. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that aesthetic preferences for eyebrow features are influenced by both ethnic background and gender, with a general preference toward moderately curved eyebrows and subtle variations in preferred positions. These findings suggest a need for culturally sensitive approaches in facial aesthetic procedures and highlight the potential of eye-tracking technology to enhance surgical planning. Surgeons are advised to adopt a conservative, patient-centered approach when modifying eyebrow features, considering individual and cultural aesthetics to maximize patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Influence of male's facial attractiveness, vocal attractiveness and social interest on female's decisions of fairness.

The present study employed dictator game and ultimatum game to investigate the effect of facial attractiveness, vocal attractiveness and social interest in expressing positive ("I like you") versus negative signals ("I don't like you") on decision making. Female participants played against male recipients in dictator game and ultimatum game while played against male proposers in ultimatum game. Results showed that participants offered recipients with attractive faces more money than recipients with unattractive faces. Participants also offered recipients with attractive voices more money than recipients with unattractive voices, especially under the positive social interest condition. Moreover, participants allocated more money to recipients who expressed positive social interest than those who expressed negative social interest, whereas they would also expect proposers who expressed positive social interest to offer them more money than proposers who expressed negative social interest. Overall, the results inform beauty premium for faces and voices on opposite-sex economic bargaining. Social interest also affects decision outcomes. However, the beauty premium and effect of social interest varies with participants' roles.

The Effect and Implication of Social Media Platforms on Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery Among Females in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Facial plastic surgery addresses various facial imperfections, offering a range of procedures like rhinoplasty and facelifts. Social media promotes unrealistic beauty standards, leading to increased demand for such surgeries. Studies highlight its influence, emphasizing the need for research in this area. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of social media advertisements and selfies on facial cosmetic surgery decisions and plans among females in Saudi Arabia. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that targeted females aged 18-80 years old. An electronic questionnaire in Arabic was used for data collection. Data was analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2023; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results Our study assessed 568 Saudi females regarding social media's impact on facial cosmetic surgery. Most of them were aged 21-30 years (39.4%) and Saudi nationals (94.2%). The majority, 87.9% (n=499), had not undergone cosmetic surgeries, and 12.1% (n=69) had; 68.1% (n=387) did not plan future surgeries. Notably, 42.6% (n=242) cited surgeon self-advertising and 38.0% (n=216) better selfies as an influencing factor in their cosmetic surgery decision. Logistic regression revealed several significant predictors of cosmetic surgery decisions including surgeon's advertisement (Exp(B) = 2.812, p < 0.001), cosmetic show viewing (Exp(B) = 2.327, p = 0.004), and social media photos (Exp(B) = 2.762, p = 0.001). Education (Exp(B) = 1.533, p = 0.035) and previous surgery (Exp(B) = 4.523, p < 0.001) correlated positively with considering surgery. Conclusion Our study highlights social media's influence on facial cosmetic surgery decisions among Saudi females. Surgeon advertisements, social media exposure, education, and previous surgery history emerged as significant predictors, warranting further research and targeted interventions.

Beauty is in the iris: Constricted pupils (enlarged irises) enhance attractiveness.

Physical attractiveness profoundly affects a broad array of life experiences and outcomes, and the eyes are an important determinant of physical attractiveness. We investigated whether a particular feature of the eyes - pupil size - affects perceived attractiveness. We present competing theoretical predictions of whether dilated (larger) or constricted (smaller) pupils should appear more physically attractiveness. Youthful features tend to be attractive (i.e., neoteny), and pupil size decreases across the lifespan, so dilated (enlarged) pupils may be more attractive as a signal of youth. Alternatively, constricted (small) pupils may be more attractive because, by revealing more of the iris, they increase both color and brightness of the eyes. The present experiments demonstrate that people appear more attractive when their pupils are constricted (Experiments 1-3). This effect is equally large with black-and-white images, indicating that color per se is not necessary for the effect (Experiment 4). Rather, constricted pupils make eyes appear brighter, which in turn renders the face more attractive (Experiment 5), even when controlling for how colorful the eyes appear (Experiment 6). These results identify constricted pupils as a novel facial feature that enhances attractiveness.

Higher orthorexia tendency among female fashion models: an empirical international study.

PURPOSE: Female fashion models are more at risk for developing eating disorders than non-models due to the intense occupational pressure they face. The present study focuses on assessing whether female models are more prone to report orthorexia nervosa signs and symptoms than non-models. METHODS: Female fashion models (n = 179, mean age: 25.9 SD = 4.40 years) and an age adjusted control group (n = 261, mean age: 25.0 SD = 4.97 years) were selected by snowball sampling. Participants filled out an online survey containing anthropometric questions and the 18-item Eating Habits Questionnaire. RESULTS: According to BMI, fashion models were underweight (mean BMI = 18.1 SD = 1.68) while control participants' BMI was in the normal range (mean = 22.1 SD = 4.23, p < 0.001). On all three of Eating Habits Questionnaire subscales fashion models showed significantly higher average value (Knowledge subscale: M = 2.42 among models versus M = 2.08 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.52; Problems subscale: M = 1.93 among models versus M = 2.61 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.49; Feelings subscale: M = 3.20 among models versus M = 2.96 in the control group, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.38). Orthorexic tendencies were reported by 35.1% of the models versus 20.2% of controls. CONCLUSION: Fashion models are at risk for the development of eating disorders. Even though not yet included in the DSM-5, the assessment of orthorexia nervosa among fashion models seems to be important. It is suggested to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of disordered eating habits among models as they can lead to the development of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, well-designed cohort study.

Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Metabolite Exposure in Cosmetic Products Used in Women's Beauty Salons.

Background: An important route of microbial transmission is the shared use of these products in beauty salons. We aimed to investigate level of contamination with microorganisms and their metabolites in shared-use cosmetics in several women's beauty salons. Methods: Bacterial and fungal strains from 320 opened/used cosmetic samples were identified according to the Iranian standards for microbial quality of cosmetic products in Golestan Province (North of Iran) during Jul-Sep 2021. In order to assess production of toxins and protease by the predominant bacterial and fungal isolates, multiplex-polymerase chain reaction and the Lowry protein assay were performed, respectively. Results: Microbial contamination was detected in 180 samples (56.5%), and the highest and lowest rates of microbial contamination were related to skin products (63.88%) and eye beauty products (20%), respectively. The highest level of S. aureus contamination (> 4,000 colony-forming units/g) was found in toner and face wash samples, and the highest level of C. albicans contamination was seen in lipstick samples (>20,000 colony-forming units/g). Only one (2%) S. aureus isolate produced staphylococcal enterotoxin B, while 3 out of 12 (25%) C. albicans isolates were able to produce protease. Conclusion: The shared-used health and beauty products, face products, in the study area are heavily contaminated. Therefore, it is essential to store used cosmetics in dry and cool places, establish strict inspection regulations for cosmetic products before and after entering the market, and increase awareness of beauty salon workers regarding the appropriate use, sanitary control, and maintenance of health and beauty products.

Beauty ideals and body positivity: a qualitative investigation of young women's perspectives on social media content in China.

Much of the existing knowledge regarding the impact of beauty ideals and body positive social media content on women's body image is based on the Western cultural context. This limits our understanding of the issue in other cultures, such as China, among others. Therefore, to address this gap, this study examined young Chinese women's perspectives on beauty ideals and body positivity in social media through a qualitative investigation. Female university students in China (N = 24) participated in individual interviews. A thematic analysis revealed four primary themes: (1) characteristics of mainstream beauty ideals in Chinese social media; (2) impact of beauty ideals on young women; (3) perspectives on the content and roles of body positivity; (4) influences of body positive social media content on young women. These findings indicate that young Chinese women are aware of the beauty ideals in social media and their negative impact on their body image. Furthermore, young Chinese women generally expressed a favorable outlook on body positivity but noted its limitations.

Incitement to misuse of corticosteroids by Arab YouTubers in a local context.

BACKGROUND: The ubiquity of social media has ushered in an era where uncontrolled content sharing extends to all subjects, including sensitive topics such as medication consumption. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the prevalence of YouTube videos providing information on glucocorticoids and to underscore the risks associated with inaccurate information, which might inadvertently promote inappropriate use of these medications. METHODS: The YouTube videos were selected using predefined keywords from February 20 to March 4, 2023. The videos were categorized into two groups. Category 1 promotes the misuse of corticosteroids, while Category 2 raises awareness about the risks associated with these drugs. RESULTS: In total, 843 YouTube videos were included. Approximately 76% of the creators were women. Of these, category 1 videos (69.63%) predominated over Category 2 videos (30.37%). Regarding Category 1, dexamethasone was mentioned in 41.53% of cases, followed by hydrocortisone (17.30%). According to these YouTubers, these products/medications are mainly obtained from community pharmacies (58.09%), online shops (20.01%), and through illicit markets and the black market (13.46%). Weight gain was the most common objective, according to 32.62% of the YouTubers. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the prevalence of YouTube videos regarding the misuse of corticosteroids. The common focus on weight gain as an objective underscores the importance of educating content creators and viewers about responsible corticosteroid use. Targeted interventions are needed to promote safe and informed medication practices within this online environment.

Exploring the Ideal of Breast Beauty: A Morphometric Analysis Based on the Opinions of the Brazilian Population.

Background The quest to identify parameters deemed optimal for breast aesthetics holds paramount significance in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The definition of ideal breast beauty, however, is subject to cultural variations and diverse standards, necessitating a detailed understanding. Objective This study delves into the perspectives of the Brazilian population regarding the aesthetics of the female breast. Methods A selection of images portraying variations in the distribution of upper and lower pole ratios across four distinct proportion models (35:65, 45:55, 50:50, and 55:45) was presented to participants. Through a meticulously crafted questionnaire administered via Google Forms, respondents were tasked with identifying the images they deemed most beautiful and attractive. Comprehensive demographic data of the study participants were gathered and subsequently correlated with their group-specific opinions. Results A total of 3744 questionnaire responses were collected 228 of which were from plastic surgeons/residents. The average age was 35 years, with 55.3% being women. Notably, breasts featuring a ratio of 45:55 emerged as the consensus choice for the epitome of beauty, garnering preference from 73% of the general population, 68% of women, 78% of men, and an equal 78% of plastic surgeons. This preference was consistent across all regions of the country. Conclusion Breasts with a ratio of 45:55 were universally deemed the most aesthetically pleasing. Similarly, breasts with a 50:50 ratio of breast tissue emerged as the next preferred choice. These insights contribute valuable perspectives on aesthetic considerations in breast surgery within the unique cultural context of Brazil.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Beauty Therapy to Support Psychosocial Recovery from Oncological Care: A Qualitative Research on the Lived Experience of Women with Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy.

During the oncological care path, breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy suffer from a number of psycho-physical changes, and appearance-related side effects are among the primary determinants of psychosocial impairment. Appropriate interventions are needed due to the fact that treatment-induced transformations have been associated with a decline in overall quality of life, interpersonal and sexual difficulties, and adverse effects on therapeutic adherence. In the framework of integrative oncology, beauty therapy is an affordable and straightforward intervention that could be used in the clinical management of breast cancer side effects. This study aims to comprehend the emotional and lived experiences of women undergoing chemotherapy after a brief beauty therapy intervention with licensed beauticians. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used as a methodological guideline. Sixteen women were purposefully recruited in a day hospital of a cancer unit, where the beauty therapy was implemented. At the end of the intervention, data were gathered using a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions. A thematic analysis was performed on verbatim transcriptions. Findings support the proposal of beauty therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Assuming a relational viewpoint, beauty therapy could improve patients' feelings about themselves and the way they feel about others, even if they do not declare a specific interest in their outward appearance.

A Systematic Review on the Reinforcement Loop in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Interplay of Social Media, Self-Perception, and Repeat Procedures.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review delves into the impact of social media on self-perception and the escalating interest in clinical aesthetic procedures, proposing that social media significantly influences beauty standards and increases demand for aesthetic enhancements. METHOD: Following PRISMA guidelines, a mixed-method analysis of 34 articles was conducted, sourced from various databases, focusing on social media's psychological effects on clinical aesthetics decisions. The studies encompassed a broad spectrum, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies, reflecting diverse geographical and cultural perspectives. RESULTS: The quantitative analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between social media usage and the consideration of aesthetic procedures (r=0.45, p<0.001), indicating a significant impact. Specific findings included a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.8) for the relationship between time spent on social media and the desire for aesthetic enhancements. Individuals spending more than 3 hours per day on social media platforms were twice as likely to consider aesthetic procedures compared to those with less usage, with a 95% confidence interval indicating robustness in these findings. CONCLUSION: Confirming the reinforcing effect of social media on aesthetic decision-making, this study highlights the complex interplay between digital media exposure, altered self-perception, and the increased inclination towards aesthetic procedures. It suggests a critical need for practitioners to carefully navigate the digital influence on patient's desires, reinforcing the significance of understanding psychological motivations and societal pressures in clinical aesthetics. This comprehensive analysis offers pivotal insights for clinical practice and ongoing research into social media's role in contemporary beauty standards. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The aesthetic experience of general beauty and ugly-cute memes: the role of emotion.

Generally, beauty has been regarded as an outward expression of elegance and harmony, providing visual pleasure and evoking a sense of aesthetic enjoyment. However, in recent years, a phenomenon called "ugly-cute" has emerged, challenging the conventional standards of beauty by embracing a form of "ugliness" to enhance its appeal. The reasons and mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain largely unexplored so far. This study aims to investigate the role of emotions, such as pleasure, humor, and surprise, in the relationship between ugly-cute characteristics and attractiveness. The findings reveal that general beauty directly generates attractiveness by eliciting pleasurable emotions, whereas ugly-cute memes achieve attractiveness by inducing pleasurable emotions through the mediation of humor. Furthermore, while both "ugly" and "ugly-cute" memes evoke a sense of surprise, that elicited by ugly-cute memes is accompanied by a humorous response, thereby enhancing their attractiveness, whereas the "ugly" memes fail to evoke humor and lack attractiveness. Finally, we discuss the potential implications and practical value of the current research.

Cognitive entailments among "the true, the good, the beautiful": a mainland Chinese sample.

Philosophers and cognitive scientists have long debated about the entailments among "the true, the good, the beautiful" (TGB hereafter). In the current article, we directly probed mainland Chinese subjects' cognitive entailment among TGB. Using 1-7 (Experiment 1) and 1-6 (Experiment 2) Likert scales, we convergently observed that mainland Chinese subjects tend to think that the beautiful is not the true, and that the good is the beautiful. Additionally, Experiment 1 also revealed that mainland Chinese subjects tend to think that the true is not the beautiful. Some of these results may reflect anthropological universals, and some others may reflect cultural specifics. Experiment 3 revealed that the most popular translation of TGB in Chinese into English is rather "the true, the kind, the beautiful", suggesting that the three concepts mapped to TGB in Chinese is not one-to-one mapped to the three concepts mapped to TGB in English. Therefore, caution should be exercised when making cross-linguistic or cross-cultural comparisons about TGB in the future.