Complexity of the Male Perfume of Eulaema nigrita from Forest and Woody Physiognomies of the Brazilian Savanna: Is There a Relationship with Body Size and Wing Wear?

Male orchid bees collect volatile and semi-volatile compounds from the environment for storage and accumulation in specialized hind legs. Later, these compounds form a perfume blend used during courtship to lure conspecific females for mating. Male orchid bees perfume has been suggested to play an important role as a sexual signaling trait involved in pre-mating isolation of species, functioning as an indicator of male genetic quality. Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier (Apidae: Euglossini) is a common species in both forested and woody savanna (Cerrado stricto sensu) physiognomies of the Brazilian savanna biome. By identifying the chemical composition of male E. nigrita perfume, we tested for differences in the bouquet chemical profile in populations from remnants of seasonal semideciduous forest and woody savanna. In addition, we assessed the relation between perfume complexity and morphological traits associated with size and age of males. Our analysis showed a low effect of physiognomies on differences in the perfume chemical profile of sampled males. Nevertheless, we observed significant differences in the chemical profile of individuals from two seasonal semideciduous forest remnants, which suggests an environmental effect in individual bouquet. Wing wear measurements were positively related to perfume complexity, consistent with the premise that perfumes from older individuals are indicators of survival capacity in male orchid bees.

Illustrating insanity: Allan McLane Hamilton, Types of Insanity, and physiognomy in late nineteenth-century American medicine.

This article examines the divisive reception history of American psychiatrist and neurologist Alexander McLane Hamilton's physiognomy publication, Types of Insanity (1883). By analyzing 23 book reviews published in late-nineteenth-century medical journals, the authors present a bibliographic case study that traces the mixed professional reactions to Hamilton's work, thus revealing the fraught nature of physiognomy in the American medical community. In effect, the authors argue that the interprofessional disagreements that emerged among journal reviewers indicate the nascent efforts of psychiatrists and neurologists to oppose physiognomy in the interest of professionalization. By extension, the authors emphasize the historical value of book reviews and reception literature. Often overlooked as ephemera, book reviews register the shifting ideologies, temperaments, and attitudes of an era's readership.

Interdevice agreement in the measurement of physiognomy parameters and frame angles to prescribe progressive addition lenses.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ophthalmic lens adaptation requires accurate measurements of physiognomy parameters and frame angles, with a great impact on subject vision, especially when personalised progressive addition lenses are prescribed. BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe interdevice agreement between different methods and traditional methods (frame ruler). METHODS: The agreement of the interpupillary distance, nasopupillary distance and fitting point height measured with four devices (PD-5, OptiCenter, Visioffice and a frame ruler) and of pantoscopic and frame wrap angles measured with three devices (OptiCenter, Visioffice and Essilor standard ruler) was assessed in 21 healthy volunteers, by a Bland-Altman analysis; mean difference and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. RESULTS: Frame ruler nasopupillary distance measurements showed limited agreement with PD-5 [-0.38 ± 1.03 (LoA -2.40 to 1.64) and 0.44 ± 1.02 (LoA -1.72 to 2.61)] and Visioffice [0.62 ± 1.24 (LoA -1.81 to 3.05) and -0.16 ± 1.72 (LoA -3.54 to 3.22)] measurements for the right and left eyes, respectively. Poor agreement was found for interpupillary distances (PD-5 [0.21 ± 1.47 (LoA -2.67 to 3.09)], OptiCenter [-0.05 ± 1.16 (LoA -2.32 to 2.22)] and Visioffice [0.46 ± 1.95 (LoA -3.36 to 4.28)]), fitting point height (OptiCenter [-1.27 ± 2.56 (LoA -6.27 to 3.75) and -0.92 ± 2.77 (LoA -6.35 to 4.51)] and Visioffice [-5.88 ± 6.21 (LoA -18.05 to 6.29) and -5.98 ± 6.12 (LoA -17.98 to 6.02)] for the right and left eyes, respectively) and pantoscopic and frame wrap angles (OptiCenter [-4.13 ± 3.75 (LoA -11.48 to 3.22) and -1.09 ± 0.60 (LoA -2.27 to 0.09)] and Visioffice [-6.18 ± 3.53 (LoA -13.10 to 0.74) and -1.93 ± 3.49 (LoA -8.77 to 4.91)], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that measurements of physiognomy and frame angles are not interchangeable between assessed devices and that these differences could induce lens centration errors with a large impact on progressive addition lens prescriptions.

Ecosystem functions in different physiognomies of Cerrado through the Rapid Ecosystem Function Assessment (REFA).

The assessment of ecosystem functions in Cerrado is important to implement practices of conservation. Recently, a 'rapid ecosystem function assessment' (REFA) for measuring ecosystem functions has been proposed and tested as a suitable method. Thus, this study aimed to assess the proxies of ecosystem functions of three physiognomies of Cerrado through REFA. This method was applied in three different preserved physiognomies of Cerrado from Northeastern, Brazil, namely: Campo Graminoide (CG), Cerrado Stricto Sensu (CSS), and Cerradão (CD). All proxies for the selected ecosystem functions differed between sites and seasons. The above- and belowground primary productivity and microbial biomass C were higher in CD than in CSS and CG. The above- and belowground secondary productivity and decomposition were higher and similar in CD and CSS as compared to CG. The principal component analysis explained 89.8% of the data variation and clustered the majority of ecosystem functions with CD, in both seasons and CSS in the wet season. The proxies of ecosystem functions measured through REFA showed differences between the physiognomies of Cerrado. Since each physiognomy of Cerrado presents different plant richness and diversity, and soil conditions, these characteristics contribute to influencing multiple ecosystem functions.

A review of atmospheric microplastics pollution: In-depth sighting of sources, analytical methods, physiognomies, transport and risks.

Micro-sized plastics were first examined for atmospheric environment in 2016. From then on, they have been detected in both indoor and outdoor atmospheric samples, with indoor environments demonstrated as containing a big proportion of these particles. The sparse distribution of these particles, is attributed to their swift and long distance transportation that is mainly eased by their tiny size (1 µm to 5 mm) and low density. Due to ongoing limitation on detectable size, analysis methods together with a lack of standardized sampling and analytical procedures, few studies were conducted on airborne microplastics (MPs). Thus, the facts regarding the occurrence, global spatial distribution, fate, and threats to ecosystem and human health of airborne MPs, are still far from being fully clarified. This literature review is a broad depiction of a state of knowledge on atmospheric MPs. Within it, robust and concise information on the sources, inspection, transport, and threats pertaining to airborne MPs are presented. Particularly, the paper entails some information concerning traffic-generated MPs pollution, which has not been frequently discussed within previously published reports. In addition, this paper has widely unveiled sectors and aspects in need of further attention, with the gaps to be filled pinpointed.

Comparison of physiognomy and frame angle parameters using different devices to prescribe progressive addition lenses.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Accurate measurement of several physiognomy parameters (interpupillary, nasopupillary and fitting height distances) and frame angles (pantoscopic and frame wrap angles) is essential for prescribing progressive addition lenses for presbyopic patients. BACKGROUND: Few reports have described the repeatability of different devices commonly used to conduct essential measurements for prescribing progressive addition lenses. METHODS: Interpupillary, nasopupillary (at far and near distances) and fitting point heights were measured three consecutive times in 21 healthy volunteers with four devices (traditional frame ruler, PD-5 interpupilometer, OptiCenter, and VisiOffice). Pantoscopic and wrap frame angles were also measured three times with Essilor standard pantoscopic ruler, Opticenter and VisiOffice. RESULTS: The frame ruler, PD-5 and Opticenter showed better repeatability for interpupillary and nasopupillary distance (co-efficient of variation close to 1%, within-subject standard deviation or Sw < 0.50 mm) measurements at far and near distances than Visioffice (co-efficient of variation > 2%, Sw > 0.50 mm). Fitting point heights measurements showed worse repeatability with all devices (frame ruler: co-efficient of variation close to 5%, Sw = 0.46 mm; Opticenter co-efficient of variation > 5%, Sw > 0.80 mm; Visioffice co-efficient of variation > 10%, Sw > 1.50 mm). Pantoscopic angle measurements showed very low repeatability with the ruler and Opticenter (co-efficient of variation > 25%, Sw > 1.90 mm). The frame wrap angle showed unacceptable repeatability values with the ruler (co-efficient of variation > 10%, Sw = 0.49º) and Visioffice (co-efficient of variation > 60%, Sw > 2.50º), but acceptable repeatability with Opticenter (co-efficient of variation < 1%, Sw = 0.05º). CONCLUSIONS: Interpupillary and nasopupillary distance measurement showed acceptable repeatability with all the assessed methods; however, these measurements alone are no longer sufficient for free-form progressive addition lens prescription, which requires fitting point heights and pantoscopic and frame wrap angle measurement. Such measures display a lack of repeatability that could induce centration errors and could affect vision and/or adaptation of the user.

Accuracy in Facial Trustworthiness Impressions: Kernel of Truth or Modern Physiognomy? A Meta-Analysis.

Being able to identify trustworthy strangers is a critical social skill. However, whether such impressions are accurate is debatable. Critically, the field currently lacks a quantitative summary of the evidence. To address this gap, we conducted two meta-analyses. We tested whether there is a correlation between perceived and actual trustworthiness across faces, and whether perceivers show above-chance accuracy at assessing trustworthiness. Both meta-analyses revealed significant, modest accuracy (face level, r = .14; perceiver level, r = .27). Perceiver-level effects depended on domain, with aggressiveness and sexual unfaithfulness having stronger effects than agreeableness, criminality, financial reciprocity, and honesty. We also applied research weaving to map the literature, revealing potential biases, including a preponderance of Western studies, a lack of "cross-talk" between research groups, and clarity issues. Overall, this modest accuracy is unlikely to be of practical utility. Moreover, we strongly urge the field to improve reporting standards and generalizability of the results.

Light Tailoring: Impact of UV-C Irradiation on Biosynthesis, Physiognomies, and Clinical Activities of Morus macroura-Mediated Monometallic (Ag and ZnO) and Bimetallic (Ag-ZnO) Nanoparticles.

A nano-revolution based on the green synthesis of nanomaterials could affect all areas of human life, and nanotechnology represents a propitious platform for various biomedical applications. During the synthesis of nanoparticles, various factors can control their physiognomies and clinical activities. Light is one of the major physical factors that can play an important role in tuning/refining the properties of nanoparticles. In this study, biocompatible monometallic (AgNPs and ZnONPs) and bimetallic Ag-ZnONPs (0.1/0.1 and 0.1/0.5) were synthesized under UV-C light irradiation from the leaf extract of Morus macroura, which possesses enriched TPC (4.238 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g DW) and TFC (1.073 ± 0.18 mg QE/g DW), as well as strong FRSA (82.39%). These green synthesized NPs were evaluated for their anti-diabetic, anti-glycation, and biocompatibility activities. Furthermore, their anti-cancerous activity against HepG2 cell lines was assessed in terms of cell viability, production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptotic caspase-3/7 expression and activity. Synthesized NPs were characterized by techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, SEM, EDX, FTIR, and XRD. UV-C mediated monometallic and bimetallic NPs showed well-defined characteristic shapes with a more disperse particle distribution, definite crystalline structures, and reduced sizes as compared to their respective controls. In the case of clinical activities, the highest anti-diabetic activity (67.77 ± 3.29% against α-amylase and 35.83 ± 2.40% against α-glucosidase) and anti-glycation activity (37.68 ± 3.34% against pentosidine-like AGEs and 67.87 ± 2.99% against vesperlysine-like AGEs) was shown by UV-C mediated AgNPs. The highest biocompatibility (IC50 = 14.23 ± 1.68 µg/mL against brine shrimp and 2.48 ± 0.32% hemolysis of human red blood cells) was shown by UV-C mediated ZnONPs. In the case of anti-cancerous activities, the lowest viability (23.45 ± 1.40%) with enhanced ROS/NOS production led to a significant disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and greater caspase-3/7 gene expression and activity by UV-C mediated bimetallic Ag-ZnONPs (0.1/0.5). The present work highlights the positive effects of UV-C light on physico-chemical physiognomies as well as the clinical activities of NPs.

Cytological physiognomies and genotype distribution of human papillomaviruses among HPV/HIV co-infected and HPV mono-infected women.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection of High Risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and HIV is thought to favour initiation of intraepithelial squamous cell lesion and subsequent progression to cervical carcinoma. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of cytological physiognomies in relation to possible age influence and the genotype distribution of human papillomaviruses among HPV/HIV co-infected and HPV monoinfected women in Kisii, Kenya. METHODS: The case-control study enrolled 42 HPV/HIV co-infected and 42 HPV monoinfected women. Cervical swabs were collected in ThinPrep vials for HPV tying and cytological analysis. HPV subtypes were assayed by Xpert® HPV system (GXHPV-CE-10). RESULTS: Mono-infected women aged 30-39 years had the highest proportion of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) at 14 (16.67%) while the co-infected aged 50-59 years had the highest proportion of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) at 9 (10.71%). HPV-16 genotype was the most predominant and it increased with age rise. Older coinfected and mono-infected women (>40 years) had HSIL and LSIL as the most predominant cytological grade respectively. CONCLUSION: The predominance of HPV-16 and HPV-18/45 genotypes in the study setting is a consideration that would benefit targeted prophylactic vaccination programs. HPV testing and cervical cancer screening for young and older women on a regular basis ought to be reinforced.

What Drives Racial Attitudes in Elementary School Children: Skin Tone, Facial Physiognomy, or Both?

This work examines whether racial attitudes-when measured by both explicit and implicit measures- are driven primarily by skin tone, facial physiognomy, or both in 5 to 12-year-old children. Participants evaluated faces varying in skin tone (from dark to light) and facial physiognomy (from Afrocentric to Eurocentric). In an explicit task, children rated how much they liked each face. In an implicit task, participants completed a child-friendly version of the Affect Misattribution Procedure, where they rated a Chinese character as "good" or "bad" following a racial prime. Results suggest that pro-White attitudes (especially those measured by the explicit task) are driven by both factors, vary by perceivers' race, and are present in both White and non-White children, though skin tone exerts a larger influence than other features, at least in explicit evaluations. Our results also raise the possibility that pro-White biases might be more internalized by non-White children in the American South.

Cerrado physiognomies in Chapada das Mesas National Park (Maranhão, Brazil) revealed by patterns of floristic similarity and relationships in a transition zone.

The Chapada das Mesas National Park is a federal reserve located in the State of Maranhão, in an ecotonal region of the Brazilian Northeast Cerrado. Aiming to assess the influence of biogeographic patterns and support restoration actions for regions where information is scarce, we analyzed the floristic composition of savanna and forest Cerrado physiognomies, the floristic relationships with other Brazilian Cerrado areas and investigated the floristic relationships between the Cerrado and the Amazon, and the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. A total of 242 species in 181 genera and 64 families are recorded in our study. Fabaceae was the most representative family. We report 50 new records of species for Maranhão, four new records for the Cerrado biome and one vulnerable species. The separation of the gallery forest from cerradão and typical cerrado by ordination shows the influence of water availability and soil characteristics on floristic composition. In Cerrado ecotonal regions, such as Mato Grosso and Maranhão, the presence of species shared with the Amazon is expressive. In addition to the Amazon, physiognomies had greater floristic connection with the Caatinga flora. Our data demonstrates that the marginal areas of the Brazilian Cerrado may present high species diversity.

Cytokine physiognomies of MSCs from varied sources confirm the regenerative commitment post-coculture with activated neutrophils.

The interaction of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with paracrine signals and immunological cells, and their responses and regenerative commitment thereafter, is understudied. In the current investigation, we compared MSCs from the umbilical cord blood (UCB), dental pulp (DP), and liposuction material (LS) on their ability to respond to activated neutrophils. Cytokine profiling (interleukin-1α [IL-1α], IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interferon-γ [IFN-γ], transforming growth factor-ß [TGF-ß]), cellular proliferation and osteogenic differentiation patterns were assessed. The results showed largely comparable cytokine profiles with higher TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in LSMSCs owing to their mature cellular phenotype. The viability and proliferation between LS/DP/UCB MSCs were comparable in the coculture group, while direct activation of MSCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed comparable proliferation with significant cell death in UCB MSCs and slightly higher cell death in the other two types of MSC. Furthermore, when MSCs post-neutrophil exposure were induced for osteogenic differentiation, though all the MSCs devoid of the sources differentiated, we observed rapid and significant turnover of DPMSCs positive of osteogenic markers rather than LS and UCB MSCs. We further observed a significant turnover of IL-1α and TGF-ß at mRNA and cytokine levels, indicating the commitment of MSCs to differentiate through interacting with immunological cells or bacterial products like neutrophils or LPS, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that MSCs have more or less similar cytokine responses devoid of their anatomical niche. They readily switch over from the cytokine responsive cell phenotype at the immunological microenvironment to differentiate and regenerate tissue in response to cellular signals.

Strange Cases: Jekyll & Hyde Narratives as Rhetorical Strategy in Sir Alexander Morison's Physiognomy of Mental Diseases.

Sir Alexander Morison's Physiognomy of Mental Diseases (1838) was created as a didactic tool for physicians, depicting lunatics in both the active and dormant states of disease. Through the act of juxtaposition, Morison constituted his subjects as their own Jekylls and Hydes, capable of radical transformation. In doing so, he marshaled artistic and clinical, visual and textual approaches in order to pose a particular argument about madness as a temporally manifested, visually distinguishable state defined by its contrast with reason. This argument served a crucial function in legitimizing the emergent discipline of psychiatry by applying biomedical methodologies to the observation and classification of distinctly physical symptoms. Robert Louis Stevenson's "quintessentially Victorian parable" serves as a metaphor for the way 19th-century alienists conceptualized insanity, while the theme of duality at the core of Stevenson's story serves as a framework for conceptualizing both psychiatry and the subjects it generates. It was (and is) a discipline formulated around narrative as the primary organizing structure for its particular set of paradoxes, and specifically, narratives of the self as a fluid, dynamic, and contradictory entity.

Chinese facial physiognomy and modern day aesthetic practice.

BACKGROUND: Physiognomy is still practiced in China and is a factor influencing the cosmetic procedures offered by aesthetic practitioners, and treatments requested by patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of belief in physiognomy in China and its effect on cosmetic treatments requested and offered by aesthetic practitioners. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study consisted of a survey given to the general public (online) and Chinese aesthetic practitioners (face to face). RESULTS: A total of 1816 responses (1070 general public, 746 aesthetic practitioners) were collected. About 63% of the general population and 86.3% of the aesthetic practitioners stated they believed in facial physiognomy. A majority of the general population surveyed believed that facial appearance can determine various aspects of their life. However, the majority believed changing their facial features would not affect factors believed to be determined by physiognomy. A total of 73.9% of the aesthetic practitioners thought their belief in physiognomy affected the treatments they suggest and most believed belief in physiognomy influences treatments requested. CONCLUSION: The belief in facial physiognomy has a direct impact and needs to be taken into consideration during patient consultation.

Sir Alexander Morison and The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases: Part 2.

Sir Alexander Morison's The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases and the original art work that formed the basis of the book have not had the scholarly attention they deserve. The published book and the commissioned portraits have not been studied in any detail. Historians have tended to offer cursory assessments that have reflected their own preconceived ideas rather than properly engaging with the material. This is a pity because Morison's work is a rich source that tells us much about the history of psychiatry. The pictures and text give us a glimpse into the world of the asylum and that of the patient. Although we see the patient through the eyes of the artist and Dr Morison, they do emerge as individuals. The accompanying texts reflect the psychiatric approach of the time and reveal contemporary notions of diagnosis, aetiology and treatment. Morison's work can also be located in the history of ideas about physiognomy. He himself was particularly influenced by Jean-Étienne-Dominique Esquirol, and Morison's work, in turn, influenced WAF Browne. These papers will outline Morison's career and consider in detail his book on The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases.

Sir Alexander Morison and The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases: Part 1.

Sir Alexander Morison's The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases and the original art work that formed the basis of the book have not had the scholarly attention they deserve. The published book and the commissioned portraits have not been studied in any detail. Historians have tended to offer cursory assessments that have reflected their own preconceived ideas rather than properly engaging with the material. This is a pity because Morison's work is a rich source that tells us much about the history of psychiatry. The pictures and text give us a glimpse into the world of the asylum and that of the patient. Although we see the patient through the eyes of the artist and Dr Morison, they do emerge as individuals. The accompanying texts reflect the psychiatric approach of the time and reveal contemporary notions of diagnosis, aetiology and treatment. Morison's work can also be located in the history of ideas about physiognomy. He himself was particularly influenced by Jean-Étienne-Dominique Esquirol, and Morison's work, in turn, influenced WAF Browne. These papers will outline Morison's career and consider in detail his book on The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases.

Rhino Physiognomy: a Myth or Science?

Face reading has been practised since time immemorial by different cultures. Different personality traits have been attributed to different characters of face. It is argued that everyone uses face reading in their daily life when they choose one person to another.One would not prefer to sit beside a tidy, handsome, well-dressed man if he had narrow mean eyes. People tend to artificially change the features of their face to gain acceptance in interviews. Most of these preferences are arbitrary and are born out of the authors' preconceived cultural and social influences. But is there a science behind these observations. The proponents of face reading argue that this is based on clearly stated rules and observation. Nose is an important part of the face. According to face reading the shape and size of nose determines the aggressiveness of the person. The present study tries to scientifically test this statement.