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We present significant findings of the Kausani Granite Gneiss within the Inner Lesser Himalayan Sedimentary Zone (iLHSZ) just north of the North Almora Thrust (NAT). The Kausani Granite Gneiss body lies within the quartzite of the Someshwar Formation and has a tectonized contact and a discordant relationship on the north side. Detailed seismic profiling across the body also confirms a similar result. Cathodoluminescence images of zircon from the Kausani body show no inheritance of older cores. The U–Pb ages from the zircon populations separated from the Kausani body give a crystallization age of 1866 ± 3 Ma. Along with the Upalda granite gneiss and Toneta granite gneiss near the Alakhnanda Thrust in the Garhwal Himalaya and the Dungeshwari granite gneiss near the Dailekh Thrust in Nepal, the Kausani Granite Gneiss north of NAT Kumaun Himalaya forms a major terrain boundary. These gneissic bodies mark the southernmost extent of felsic magmatism at NAT, rather than the Main Central Thrust. An about 1.8 billion years‐old magmatic event in the LHSZ suggests that it is a currently active continental margin inside the 'Greater India' region, now situated in the Himalayan domain. However, the Pb‐loss modelling of the U–Pb zircon data reveals thermal events during the Himalayan Orogeny (~45 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the psychological, emotional and equity implications of compulsory acquisition, evaluate the adequacy of compensation in mitigating those consequences and assess the sustainability of cash compensation for future generations. Design/methodology/approach: A case study approach was operationalised to investigate the experiences of 40 project-affected persons (PAPs) four years after a compulsory acquisition project in Ghana's New Akrade-Mpakadan region for the construction of a railway line. These perspectives were analysed through descriptive statistics and thematic analyses using the NVivo software. Figures and a holistic framework were adopted to report the identified issues. Findings: Overall, only 25% of PAPs received formal communication prior to the acquisition, and only 10.3% have been fully compensated four years later. Despite the acquiring body initiating the marking of properties and compensation assessment in 2019, no payments were made until 2021. This induced emotional responses of distress, loss, uncertainty, stress and sadness, which was further exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness because there was no platform to voice concerns or pursue arbitration. Although PAPs were only offered compensation in the form of single monetary payments, a third would have preferred re-settlement. Research limitations/implications: By exploring the emotional and psychological effects of compulsory land acquisition, the study adds a new dimension to understanding its consequences. This may spark more interest, debate and discourse amongst researchers and policymakers and lead to the creation or enhancement of existing policy and legal measures to address the needs of PAPs in compulsory acquisition projects in developing countries. Originality/value: The financial consequences of eminent domain are well documented, but this study explored the psychological, emotional and equity implications of the practice under conditions of weak regulatory frameworks. The adequacy of single lump-sum compensations was also explored to highlight preferred alternatives to ensure fairness for generations unborn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox genes are transcriptional regulators that elicit cell positional identity along the anterior–posterior region of the body plan across different lineages of Metazoan. Comparison of Hox gene expression across distinct species reveals their evolutionary conservation; however, their gains and losses in different lineages can correlate with body plan modifications and morphological novelty. We compare the expression of 11 Hox genes found within Streblospio benedicti, a marine annelid that produces two types of offspring with distinct developmental and morphological features. For these two distinct larval types, we compare Hox gene expression through ontogeny using hybridization chain reaction (HCR) probes for in situ hybridization and RNA-seq data. We find that Hox gene expression patterning for both types is typically similar at equivalent developmental stages. However, some Hox genes have spatial or temporal differences between the larval types that are associated with morphological and life-history differences. This is the first comparison of developmental divergence in Hox gene expression within a single species and these changes reveal how body plan differences may arise in larval evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The aesthetic dimension of transgender experiences involves various aspects linked to the visual representation and expression of one's gender identity. Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as neuromodulators, have consequently become a viable treatment option for patients with gender dysphoria because of the ability to yield significant, although temporary, results with minimal associated risks and downtime. OBJECTIVE To comprehensively review literature pertaining to the aesthetic considerations for use of neuromodulators in transgender and nonbinary individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature review of PubMed/MEDLINE for studies was published through January 2024 for nonsurgical facial and body modification using neuromodulators. Searches were conducted with relevant keywords. Peer-reviewed articles and their references published within the past 10 years were given emphasis in the review. RESULTS Based on the limited publications to date, the authors prepared a comprehensive review on indications for neuromodulator treatment in this population, including brow positioning, lower face contouring, lip eversion, trapezius slimming, and leg contouring. CONCLUSION Dermatologists play a crucial role in facilitating the achievement of gender affirmation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological aspect of human embodiment frequently constitutes the primary basis for personal assessment, with an emphasis on rationality, free choice, material well-being, and happiness as fundamental attributes of worth. This perspective is also evident in cultural practices of body modification, which reflect societal standards and identity expression. The promotion of standards of bodily appearance that are often considered unrealistic within contemporary culture has the effect of creating a social environment in which those who do not conform to these standards are rejected and stigmatized. This can include individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses and different bodily appearances. In the majority of cases, the so-called 'body capital' culture views the disabled body through the lens of a person's physical appearance, which is, to a certain extent, associated with a biological dysfunction or reflects a kind of physical disability or vulnerable corporeality. This paper seeks to examine perspectives on the body through the lenses of major discourses surrounding disability, biblical anthropology, and disability theology. These perspectives advocate for the intrinsic dignity and value of the disabled body, challenging contemporary norms and projections upon the body, by underscoring the biographical, interdependent, and spiritual dimensions of human embodiment. This approach stands as an alternative to the reductionist view of the body, which prioritizes physical attributes over a comprehensive understanding of complete personhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the freshwater featherback fish genus Chitala (Osteoglossomorpha: Notopteridae) remains unsettled because delimiting and naming Chitala species based solely on morphology led to different hypotheses. In this study, we aim to determine the number and identity of Chitala species present in Peninsular Malaysia by employing an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphology and two mitochondrial markers: the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b genes. A total of 60 specimens of Chitala were collected throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Initially, all specimens were sorted into three distinct categories based on their body marking patterns. A molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of these groups was monophyletic, and an automated species partition method further recognized them as distinct species. These results support the presence of three Chitala species in Peninsular Malaysia, even though a multivariate morphometric analysis failed to fully differentiate each of these three species. Comparison with original species descriptions and genetic data from an additional 70 Chitala specimens from neighbouring regions allowed us to name these species as Chitala lopis, Chitala borneensis, and Chitala ornata. We also showed the presence of two undescribed species in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the need for digitalization of the evidence base of war crimes of the aggressor country with its subsequent use in international judicial institutions, and also to develop a conceptual framework for generating an e-catalog of missile fragments and debris in the course of identification expert proceedings. The reliability of the results and conclusions obtained is ensured by the use of a set of general scientific and special research methods. In particular, using the dialectical method as a general method of cognition, the author examines the classification and terminological features of expert research on the identification of missiles used against Ukraine; by applying the methods of systematic and comparative analysis, the author reveals an approach to systematization of missile fragments and debris with external (species) and internal (constructive) differentiation of the evidence base material; the use of the methods of formal logic, analogy, and generalization allowed the author to formulate and present the results of forensic examination. The conceptual foundations of generating an e-catalog of missile fragments and debris in the process of identification expert proceedings are revealed. The external (species) and internal (constructive) components of the evidence base of war crimes involving missile weapons are distinguished. A generalized algorithm for missile identification is developed. It is argued that for the purposes of identification of missiles used as an instrument of a war crime and intended to reveal the link “missile – launch vehicle – person who launched a missile from a launch vehicle (perpetrator of the crime) – person(s) who ordered the launch of a missile (organizer, accomplice), the most important classification criteria are those which reveal the type and basing of the launch vehicle and the alleged perpetrator. It has been established that in general, informative fragments and debris are subject to identification by the following criteria: available markings on the body, structural unit, part, fragment, wreckage, etc.; presence of surviving missile compartments; characteristic shapes, colors, etc.; characteristic materials. Definitions are disclosed: “identification of a combat missile”; “e-catalog of missiles as a document”; “fragments of a used missile”; “fragments of a used missile”; “combat missile”. The author’s own generalized algorithm for missile identification has been developed, which is used in the process of expert research to solve the identification tasks set by the initiator [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no replacement for blood, and patients requiring transfusion depend on human donors, most of whom are family donors. Family donors may deny engagement in high-risk activities, which threaten the safety of donated blood. This study determined frequency of self-reported high-risk behaviors among replacement donors. Methods: This retrospective study recruited 1317 donor records from 2017–2020, at Mankranso Hospital, Ghana. Data from archived donor questionnaires were extracted and analyzed with SPSS and GraphPad. Frequencies, associations, and quartiles were presented. Results: The donors were predominantly males (84.4%), 17–26 years old (43.7%), informal workers (71.8%), rural inhabitants (56.5%), first-time (65.0%), and screened in the rainy season (56.3%). Donation frequency was significantly associated with age, sex, occupation, and residence. Repeat donors were significantly older (p≤0.001). More males than females were deferred (p = 0.008), drug addicts (p = 0.001), had body modifications (p = 0.025), multiple sexual partners (p = 0.045), and STIs (p≤0.001), whereas, more females were recently treated (p = 0.044). Weight loss (p = 0.005) and pregnancy (p = 0.026) were frequent among 17–26-year group, whereas, tuberculosis was frequent among 37–60-year group (p = 0.009). More first-time donors were unwell (p = 0.005), deferred (p≤0.001), pregnant (p = 0.002), drug addicts, had impending rigorous activity (p = 0.037), body modifications (p = 0.001), multiple sexual partners (p = 0.030), and STIs (p = 0.008). STIs were frequent in the dry season (p = 0.010). First-time donors had reduced hemoglobin (p = 0.0032), weight (p = 0.0003), and diastolic pressure (p = 0.0241). Conclusion: Donation frequency was associated with age, sex, occupation, and residence, with first-time donors younger than repeat donors. Deferral from donation, drug addiction, body modification, multiple sexual partners, and STIs were frequent among males, whereas, more females received treatment. Tuberculosis was frequently reported among older adults, whereas, weight loss and pregnancy were frequent among younger individuals. More first-time donors reported being unwell, deferred, drug addiction, body modifications, multiple sexual partners, STIs, and pregnant. Hemoglobin, weight, and diastolic BP were reduced among first-time donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific literature shows that gender transition is effective in improving the general well-being of transgender people. However, so far, little attention has been paid to the actual role of the body concerning the existential dilemma that holds the person hostage during transition. This study investigates the relationship between the body—here considered in its concrete, experienced, imagined, and intersubjective dimensions—and gender identity. Twenty-five transgender people who live in Italy were interviewed to identify interpretive repertoires and identity positionings. Four main repertoires and positionings emerged: 1) Interpretative repertoires on the body in transition, where an enduring influence of gender binarism and biological determinants were observed; 2) Expectations regarding medically induced modifications of the body ranging from self-confidence to uncertainty; 3) Positionings toward medically induced bodily modifications, ranging from enthusiasm to resignation; and 4) Inter- and Intrapersonal positionings, where the other than self was found to act as a self-confirming resource or as a constant unpredictable and potentially threatening source of disconfirmation. Practitioners need to develop a stronger awareness of the different dimensions, meanings, and discourses surrounding bodily experience to more effectively intervene in their clinical practice with transgender people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) marking shows a great potential for use in mark-release-recapture (MRR) studies for rear-and-release mosquito control strategies, including the radiation-based sterile insect technique. However, its applicability and evaluation in body-stain-irradiated males of Aedes aegypti have received little attention. The present study evaluated the use of Rh-B to mark gamma-irradiated male A. aegypti. Materials and Methods: Male A. aegypti were irradiated at the pupal stage at a dose of 70 Gy. After emergence, males were fed 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4% Rh-B in 10% glucose solution for 4 days. Groups of unirradiated males that received the same feeding treatments were used as control groups. We evaluated the persistence of Rh-B and the longevity of males after Rh-B feeding. Furthermore, the use of Rh-B in irradiated A. aegypti for MRR experiments was evaluated at an urban site. Results: No difference was observed in the Rh-B persistence among all concentrations at the 24-h postmarking period ranging from 91.25 ± 1.61% to 96.25 ± 1.61% and from 90.00 ± 2.28% to 93.13 ± 2.77% for the unirradiated and irradiated groups, respectively. Rh-B persistence significantly decreased over time, and persistence was significantly longer with increased concentrations in both the unirradiated and irradiated groups. Longevity was considerably decreased by Rh-B feeding and irradiation. However, no significant difference in longevity was found among males fed various concentrations of Rh-B. Through MRR experiments, irradiated-Rh-B marked males were mostly detected within a radius of 20 m and 40 m from the center-release point. The mean distance traveled of the released males from the three MRR events was calculated to be 42.6 m. Conclusion: This study confirms that Rh-B body marking through sugar feeding is applicable for irradiated male A. aegypti, with only a slight effect on longevity. Furthermore, considering the significant reduction in persistence over time, further study is needed to assess the impact of this reduction on the calculation of field biological parameters resulting from MRR experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the reproductive biology of elasmobranchs are essential for understanding their life history. Published studies on batoid ray reproductive biology are comparatively scarce, leading to limited understanding and data gaps. The Oceania fantail ray, Taeniura lessoni, is a good example. This Data Deficient nearshore stingray is restricted to Melanesia, with lacking biological and ecological data, including reproduction. To expand upon the limited life-history data for this species, this short paper provides observational data on the reproductive condition in female T. lessoni, at Drawaqa Island, Fiji. Field work involved direct observations and ocean temperature measurements. Over 40 days spanning three months, 105 surveys were conducted across five sites, resulting in 71 sightings of the species. Based on spot patterns and body markings, four female individuals were identified. Between January and March 2024, these females exhibited convex dorsa indicating advanced gestation, transitioning to concave dorsa suggesting parturition. The presence of neonates from early March onwards coincided with the estimated parturition period inferred from the rays' condition. Furthermore, a female previously pregnant was photographed with a dermal abrasion around her pectoral fin, possibly indicating pre-copulatory biting, suggesting a continuous reproductive cycle. The average monthly water temperature at the surveyed sites remained relatively stable throughout the study. Collectively, our findings suggest that Drawaqa Island provides suitable habitat niches for reproductive activities in female T. lessoni. Repeated and long-term data is certainly needed to confirm either a continuous reproductive cycle or seasonal peaks. While preliminary, our observational data represents the first documentation on female reproductive condition in a stingray in Fiji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tattoos serve as a valuable tool for identification. In the forensic context, it is vital to establish a systematic approach for documenting tattoo-related information to facilitate efficient and fast comparisons, especially in postmortem cases. Despite some countries failing to recognize the potential significance of tattoos, this study presents a methodological framework for gathering comprehensive data on this form of body modification. This article presents the results of an investigation made in Mexico during 2019–2022. The proposed methodology introduces a systematic and distinct classification system tailored to the country in which it will be implemented. The proposal is accompanied by applying the methodology in a Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO) in Mexico for a week to test its effectiveness and speed under high workloads and stressful conditions. The novelty of this article lies in emphasizing the need for established, replicable, and homologous methodologies for tattoo codification. Additionally, it presents a more in-depth codification, where the details of the tattoos to be classified are thoroughly analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human language, hominin tool production modes, and multimodal communications systems of primates and other animals are currently well-studied for how they display compositionality or combinatoriality. In all cases, the former is defined as a kind of hierarchical nesting and the latter as a lack thereof. In this article, I extend research on combinatoriality and compositionality further to investigations of everyday primate skills. Daily locomotion modes as well as behaviors associated with subsistence practices, hygiene, or body modification rely on the hierarchical nesting of different behavioral and cognitive actions into complex skills. I introduce a scheme which uses hierarchical organization to differentiate combinatorial from compositional skills. Combinatorial skills are defined either as aggregational or linearly hierarchical depending on whether the skill occurs momentarily in space or unfolds sequentially over time. Compositional skills are defined either as nested or interactionally hierarchical depending on whether the skill results in new constructs or in new interactions between existing constructs. The methodology I propose combines epistemological hierarchy theory with data from primatological field research and experimental and comparative psychological research and provides a means to integrate current constructionist and extended views on cognition and action with older research on behavioral logics in psychology and operational chain thinking in anthropology. The approach furthermore synchronizes with ongoing research on teleonomy, intentionality, and creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Intact: A Defence of the Unmodified Body" by Clare Chambers is a thought-provoking book that explores the pressures to modify our bodies and argues for the value of embracing our bodies as they are. Chambers examines various body modification practices, such as bodybuilding, make-up, and gender affirmation surgery, and highlights the underlying belief that our bodies are never good enough. She argues that these pressures are intertwined with social oppression and advocates for the principle of the unmodified body, which asserts that our worth should not depend on our body's conformity to societal ideals. While some readers may have concerns about the strength of Chambers' prescriptions and the vagueness of certain terms used in the book, "Intact" offers valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding body modification. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The rise of body modifications among younger generations is bringing about discussions of the norms and appropriateness of tattoos, dyed hair, and facial piercings in the library workplace, particularly among those with leadership positions. This raises concerns about the perception of the role of the librarian and the norms associated with this role. In the spring of 2022, a research team expanded previous literature on the acceptance and professionalism of body modifications in libraries, focusing on the attitudes of those who consider themselves in leadership roles. Utilizing role theory as a theoretical framework, researchers measured the appropriateness of body modifications against the norms associated with librarians from various functions in the library, including back-of-house, front-of-house, and those with managerial functions. The study then discusses the changing attitudes and norms associated with the librarian role and the possible ramifications of librarians with body modifications seeking leadership responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Triplophysa from southwestern Guizhou Province, China, are described. These are Triplophysa ziyunensis Wu, Luo, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. and Triplophysa yaluwang Lan, Liu, Zhou & Zhou, sp. nov. from Maoying Town, Ziyun County, Guizhou Province, China. Triplophysa ziyunensis Wu, Luo, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. is distinguished from other hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa by having a combination of the following characteristics: body naked, scaleless, pigmented markings on surface of body, except ventral; eyes reduced, diameter 2.4–4.9% of head length; pelvic-fin tip extending to anus; tip of pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin origin; anterior and posterior nostrils closely set, with anterior nostril elongated to a barbel-like tip; tip of outrostral barbel extending backward, not reaching anterior margin of the eye; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; and fin differences. Triplophysa yaluwang Lan, Liu, Zhou & Zhou, sp. nov. is distinguished from other hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa by having a combination of the following characteristics: body naked, scaleless, with irregular pale and dark brownish brown markings, except ventrally; eyes reduced, diameter 4.6–6.1% of head length; pelvic-fin tip reaching anus; tip of pectoral fin not reaching to pelvic fin origin; anterior and posterior nostrils closely set, with anterior nostril elongated to a barbel-like tip; tip of outrostral barbel extending backward, not reaching to anterior margin of the eye; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; and fin differences. Mitochondrial Cyt b revealed relatively small genetic differences, 1.4–2.0%, between the two new species and close relatives. Nuclear gene RAG1 indicated that the two new species possessed unique haplotypes with multiple linking mutations. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing nuclear genes to identify new species in rapidly speciation cave species, with small genetic differences due to mitochondrial introgression occurring interspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes a new species, Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai sp. nov., discovered within a cave located in Hongguo Town, Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, southwestern China, with the type locality in the Nanpanjiang River basin. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on mitochondrial genes show that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage with large genetic differences, 1.9%–13.8% in mitochondrial Cyt b, from congeners. Morphologically, this species can be differentiated from the 79 species currently classified under the genus Sinocyclocheilus by several characteristics: absence of horn-like structures and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction, absence of irregular black markings on the body lateral and scaleless, eyes large, eye diameter 13% of head length, dorsal-fin rays, iii, 6½, last unbranched ray strong, with serrations along posterior margin, pectoral-fin rays, i, 13, anal-fin rays, iii, 5, pelvic-fin rays, i, 7, lateral line pores 74, gill rakers well developed, nine on first gill arch, pectoral fins short, tip not reaching to pelvic-fin origin. The number of Sinocyclocheilus species has been increased from 79 to 80 since the description of this new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body art, like tattoos, has become a mainstream culture in the 21st century. Getting a tattoo is highly personal and can vary widely from one individual to another. It may be self-expression, symbolism, aesthetics, cultural and religious traditions. However, visible tattoos may still cause stigma among other professionals, such as teachers. How a student perceives a teacher impacts how he responds to that teacher. Thus, this study explores students' perceptions towards professors with visible tattoos. A quantitative descriptive survey research design was applied in this study. It adapted Duncan's (2023) Perception of Tattoos and Piercings in Higher Education questionnaire. The participants are 38 randomly selected FEU Manila students in the School Year 2023-2024. Data gathering was through Google Forms, where participants voluntarily participated. The results show statements 1, 3, 11, 12, 18, and 20 are interpreted as Disagree while the remaining statements are interpreted as Strongly Disagree. This suggests that students show positive views toward professionals with visible tattoos and that it disputes any form of discrimination against them. The researcher recommends looking into other professionals with tattoos to provide a newer perspective on the dilemma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body modifications consist in changing the appearance. They gain more and more popularity. The most popular forms of body modification are tattooing and piercing. The aim of the study is a longitudinal assessment of the prevalence of body modifications in the form of tattoos and piercings among students of pharmacy at the Medical University of Lublin and their knowledge about the possible complications of such interventions. The study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The study with the participation of first-year pharmacy students was conducted in 2017, and with the participation of sixth-year pharmacy students in 2022. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. The respondents approved the modification in the form of piercings in the ears to the greatest extent, and invasive body modifications to the least extent. The percentage of people having body modifications has not changed significantly over time, but their awareness of the possible complications of such procedures has increased. Piercings and tattoos, in the opinion of pharmacy students, are not stigmatizing. The knowledge of future pharmacists about the possible complications of piercing and tattooing increases with the duration of their studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores some of the body modifications that occurred in the Mariana Islands during the initial decades of the Jesuit mission. It focuses on Jesuit vestments and the use of Indigenous CHamoru palm-weaving in a cultural background where the CHamoru dress code clashed with Jesuit mindsets. The article also analyzes the imposition of clothing on the CHamorus by the Jesuits and the imposition of nakedness on the Jesuits by the CHamorus as punitive measures within a colonial environment where the Jesuits sought to dismantle traditional lifeways while the CHamorus endeavored to preserve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the harms of superimposing normative theorizing on communities who live and love outside the psychoanalytic norm, particularly transgender individuals. Writing in 2019/2023, an especially perilous period for transgender people's rights and safety in the United States, McGleughlin critiques a published paper by Alessandra Lemma to illustrate the analytic tendency to rely on normative theory that may harm patients. Lemma's pieces focuses on a patient called "Jane." The 18-year-old wishes to pursue body modification to change their gender, but the analyst believes Jane is not "truly" transgender, and she creates a narrative of Jane's repair. While Lemma's rhetoric suggests that she does not believe that transgender life is inherently pathological, McGleughlin exposes a beneath-the-surface treatment rife with normative assumptions. Uncritically bringing these assumptions to clinical work has the potential to distort or even erase the story of the other, the author argues, harkening back to treatments in which the clinician is said to have "helped" the gay or lesbian patient show sexual restraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: In addition to mandatory testing of blood donations, the deferral of donors in the case of various sexual and non‐sexual risk exposures ensures the safety of blood products in Germany. The study aimed to quantify non‐disclosure of non‐sexual risk exposures, as no data are available so far. Materials and Methods: We conducted an anonymous online survey among whole‐blood donors with successful donations between January and March 2020. Data on travel to countries with endemic malaria, recent mild or febrile infections, tattoos or piercings and drug use were collected. We analysed non‐compliance in relation to donor demographics by multivariable analyses. Results: Altogether, 5.4% of the donors were non‐compliant. Non‐disclosure was highest for mild infection with 3.3% of donors, followed by febrile infections (1.4%), travel to malaria endemic countries (0.7%) and body modifications (0.5%). Intravenous drug use was negligible in our study population. Age was a predictor for all investigated risks, with higher prevalence in younger age groups. Prevalence ratios for non‐disclosure of body modifications and mild infection were higher in females than males. Donation in blood establishments with mobile services was associated with higher non‐disclosure of mild infections. Conclusion: The considerable degree of non‐compliance in some donor groups reflects the prevalence of risk factors in the underlying population (e.g., body modification) as well as probable tendency to socially desirable responding. Donor education should not focus exclusively on sexual risk behaviour, as undisclosed non‐sexual exposures may bear risks for recipients and donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This essay considers the blunt and controversial statement of Paul at the conclusion of Galatians (Gal 6:17). Paul says, "from now on, let no one trouble me, for I bear on my body the marks (stigma, brand or tattoo) of Christ". Scholars agree that Paul is speaking metaphorically about the scars he received in ministry. By calling his scars "tattoos", Paul makes an odd sort of honour claim, since tattoos typically were inflicted on low-status slaves in the Roman empire as a mark of ownership and punishment. This essay looks at a common thread of trauma and violence in the letter to the Galatians. Paul works through the traumas he received in two ways. First, he presents a variety of traumatic episodes in the Galatian community - at times, lashing out at his opponents. Second, he deliberately inverts honor and status categories. By boldly claiming to be Christ's slave Paul asserts his status and finds meaning and vindication in his suffering. This essay takes a more wholistic view of the letter to the Galatians that has previously been done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body modifications such as tattoos have been a diabolical topic throughout the world, especially in the business world, and how accepting a workplace culture can be of such appearances. With all the strict values and traditions that a conservative culture imposes on its companies' inner cultures, the consequences of having a tattoo may surpass individuals' expectations. Jordan, as a Middle Eastern country, has a conservative culture, and tattoos are not a culturally acceptable trend. This study aims to explore whether tattooed individuals in Jordan experience any discrimination throughout their careers in different sectors in the country due to their different physical appearance and if such body modifications create any risks in being treated fairly in an organization. This research adopts a social constructivist approach that integrates narratives from six Jordanian tattooed individuals who faced discriminatory actions in a workplace due to their appearance. The findings revealed that (i) tattooed individuals have fears of not getting employed or not having job security when employed. (ii) Tattooed individuals are being judged based on how they look rather than their performance. (iii) Tattooed individuals may suffer from psychological impacts. (IV) Tattooed individuals are lost between who they are (what they want) and who they should be (what others want). This research increases awareness of the possible impacts of discriminatory actions on tattooed individuals in the workplace and recommends actions to eliminate this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for dolphins is a delicate process that requires experienced caretakers to pay close attention to their behavioral characteristics. However, caretakers may sometimes lack experience or not be able to give their full attention, which can lead to misjudgment or oversight. To address these issues, a dolphin behavior analysis system has been designed to assist caretakers in making accurate assessments. This study utilized image preprocessing techniques to reduce sunlight reflection in the pool and enhance the outline of dolphins, making it easier to analyze their movements. The dolphins were divided into 11 key points using an open-source tool called DeepLabCut, which accurately helped mark various body parts for skeletal detection. The AquaAI Dolphin Decoder (ADD) was then used to analyze six dolphin behaviors. To improve behavior recognition accuracy, the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network was introduced. The ADD and LSTM models were integrated to form the ADD-LSTM system. Several classification models, including unidirectional and bidirectional LSTM, GRU, and SVM, were compared. The results showed that the ADD module combined with a double-layer bidirectional LSTM method achieved high accuracy in dolphin behavior analysis. The accuracy rates for each behavior exceeded 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As coral reefs continue to decline due to climate change, the role of coral epigenetics (specifically, gene body methylation, GBM) in coral acclimatization warrants investigation. The evidence is currently conflicting. In diverse animal phyla, the baseline GBM level is associated with gene function: continuously expressed "housekeeping" genes are typically highly methylated, while inducible context‐dependent genes have low or no methylation at all. Some authors report an association between GBM and the environment and interpret this observation as evidence of the GBM's role in acclimatization. Yet, others argue that the correlation between GBM change and gene expression change is typically absent or negligible. Here, we used the reef‐building coral, Acropora millepora, to test whether environmentally driven changes in GBM are associated with a gene's ability to respond to environmental changes (plasticity) rather than expression level. We analyzed two cases of modified gene expression plasticity observed in a 3‐week‐long heat acclimatization experiment. The first one was a group of heat‐induced genes that failed to revert their expression after the coral was translocated back to the control tank. The second case involved genes that changed the magnitude of their response to the daily temperature fluctuations over the course of the experiment. In both cases, we found negligible or no association with GBM change. We conclude that although both gene expression plasticity and GBM can change during acclimatization, there is no direct association between the two. This adds to the increasing volume of evidence that the function of GBM in invertebrates is unrelated to acclimatization on physiological timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alexithymia, difficulty in recognising and naming emotions, is common among people who use alcohol. There is also emerging evidence that people with alexithymia are unable to distinguish emotions from non‐emotional physiological states. The project aimed to test if alcohol use is related to the way student drinkers experience emotions and physiological states in the body. Methods: We employed a novel method to study bodily sensations related to emotions and physiological states in the context of alcohol use: the emBODY tool, which allowed participants to mark areas of the body in which they experience various emotions and physiological states. Results: Students who showed a hazardous pattern of alcohol use (alcohol use disorders identification test [AUDIT] score ≥ 7, N = 91), overall, presented higher alexithymia levels and coloured larger areas for emotions and physiological states (showed less specificity) than those who show low‐risk alcohol consumption (AUDIT ≤ 4, N = 90). Moreover, statistical classifiers distinguished feeling‐specific maps less accurately for hazardous drinkers than low‐risk drinkers [F(1,1998) = 441.16; p < 0.001], confirming that higher alcohol use is related to higher confusion of emotional and non‐emotional bodily feelings. Conclusions: Plausibly, this increased bodily confusion drives alcohol consumption: alcohol may serve as a means of dealing with undifferentiated changes in psychophysiological arousal accompanying emotional states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tRNA modifications are crucial in all organisms to ensure tRNA folding and stability, and accurate translation. In both the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the evolutionarily distant yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, mutants lacking certain tRNA body modifications (outside the anticodon loop) are temperature sensitive due to rapid tRNA decay (RTD) of a subset of hypomodified tRNAs. Here we show that for each of two S. pombe mutants subject to RTD, mutations in ribosomal protein genes suppress the temperature sensitivity without altering tRNA levels. Prior work showed that S. pombe trm8Δ mutants, lacking 7-methylguanosine, were temperature sensitive due to RTD, and that one class of suppressors had mutations in the general amino acid control (GAAC) pathway, which was activated concomitant with RTD, resulting in further tRNA loss. We now find that another class of S. pombe trm8Δ suppressors have mutations in rpl genes, encoding 60S subunit proteins, and that suppression occurs with minimal restoration of tRNA levels and reduced GAAC activation. Furthermore, trm8Δ suppression extends to other mutations in the large or small ribosomal subunit. We also find that S. pombe tan1Δ mutants, lacking 4-acetylcytidine, are temperature sensitive due to RTD, that one class of suppressors have rpl mutations, associated with minimal restoration of tRNA levels, and that suppression extends to other rpl and rps mutations. However, although S. pombe tan1Δ temperature sensitivity is associated with some GAAC activation, suppression by an rpl mutation only modestly inhibits GAAC activation. We propose a model in which ribosomal protein mutations result in reduced ribosome concentrations, leading to both reduced ribosome collisions and a reduced requirement for tRNA, with these effects having different relative importance in trm8Δ and tan1Δ mutants. This model is consistent with our results in S. cerevisiae trm8Δ trm4Δ mutants, known to undergo RTD, fueling speculation that this model applies across eukaryotes. Author summary: tRNA modifications are crucial in all organisms to ensure tRNA stability and mRNA decoding. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the evolutionarily distant yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, mutants lacking certain tRNA body modifications are temperature sensitive due to rapid tRNA decay (RTD) of a subset of hypomodified tRNAs. Here we show that mutations in ribosomal protein genes suppress the temperature sensitivity of two S. pombe mutants subject to RTD. We previously showed that S. pombe trm8Δ mutants, lacking 7-methylguanosine, are temperature sensitive due to RTD and activate the general amino acid control (GAAC) pathway concomitant with RTD, and mutations in both pathways restore tRNA levels. We now find that S. pombe tan1Δ mutants, lacking 4-acetylcytidine, are also temperature sensitive due to RTD and modestly activate the GAAC pathway. Here we show that a class of spontaneous suppressors of both trm8Δ and tan1Δ mutants have mutations in ribosomal protein genes, but these suppressors do not restore tRNA levels, and have mixed effects on GAAC activation. These results suggest that ribosomal protein mutations suppress S. pombe trm8Δ and tan1Δ mutants due to reduced ribosome concentrations, leading to both a reduced tRNA requirement, and reduced ribosome collisions and GAAC activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We previously reported a modification of the CUT&Tag method (NTU-CAT) that allows genome-wide histone modification analysis in individual preimplantation embryos. In the present study, NTU-CAT was further simplified by taking advantage of the Well-of-the-Well (WOW) system, which enables the processing of multiple embryos in a shorter time with less reagent and cell loss during the procedure (WOW-CUT&Tag, WOW-CAT). Results: WOW-CAT allowed histone modification profiling from not only a single blastocyst but also from a portion of it. WOW-CAT generated similar H3K4me3 profiles as NTU-CAT, but they were closer to the profiles produced by chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing, such as a valley-like trend and relatively lower false positive rates, indicating that WOW-CAT may attenuate the bias of Tn5 transposase to cut open chromatin regions. Simultaneous WOW-CAT of two halves of single blastocysts was conducted to analyze two different histone modifications (H3K4me3 and H3K27ac) within the same embryo. Furthermore, trophectoderm cells were biopsied and subjected to WOW-CAT in anticipation of preimplantation diagnosis of histone modifications. WOW-CAT allowed the monitoring of epigenetic modifications in the main body of the embryo. For example, analysis of H3K4me3 modifications of XIST and DDX3Y in trophectoderm biopsies could be used to sex embryos in combination with quantitative PCR, but without the need for deep sequencing. Conclusions: These results suggest the applicability of WOW-CAT for flexible epigenetic analysis of individual embryos in preimplantation epigenetic diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tattoos and piercings are associated with impulsive and risk-taking personality traits, which are also common along the ADHD continuum. However, studies on ADHD and body modification are lacking. Thus, this study aimed to assess the association between bodymodification and subclinical ADHD symptom severity and to investigate if body modification can serve as an indication for ADHD examination. Methods: A total of 762 adults (529 women and 233 men) without a diagnosis of ADHD completed the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and answered questions concerning body modification. Two different ASRS versions were utilized: the 18-item ASRS Symptom Checklist and the 6-item ASRS Screener. Three categorizations of body modifications were analyzed: (i) having at least one tattoo, (ii) having at least one piercing other than ear piercing, and (iii) the combination of simultaneously having at least one tattoo and one piercing. Mean 18-item ASRS total and subscale scores and the proportion of positive results on the 6-item ASRS Screener were compared between those with and those without body modifications while adjusting for covariates age and sex. Additional analyses were performed for ≥2 and ≥3 body modifications. Results: In our cohort, 26% had a tattoo, 14% had a piercing other than ear piercing, and 8% had a combination of tattoo and piercing. Having any kind of body modification was associated withmore pronounced symptoms of ADHD and with a cutoff score on the ASRS screener indicating ADHD. Whereas, the effect sizes were small for tattoos, medium to large effect sizes were seen for ≥2 piercings in the ASRS. Moreover, moderately strong associations emerged for ≥1 piercing and a positive ASRS screening result. Conclusion: Our results suggest that acquiring a body modification, especially a tattoo, is entering the mainstream in Sweden. Correspondingly, differences in subclinical ADHD symptomatology between non-clinical adults with and without bodymodifications are subtle. Having ≥2 piercings other than ear piercings, on the other hand, is associated with clinically relevant differences in ADHD symptoms. Moreover, piercing status may serve as an indicator, among others, for further ADHD assessments. However, more research is needed to ascertain the possible signaling functions of body modifications in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics and drivers of inter-species interactions in the wild are poorly understood, particularly those involving social animal species. Inter-species interactions between cetaceans and sirenians have rarely been documented and investigated. Here, we report 10 cases of interaction initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) towards Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). Interactions were documented through behavioral observations in the wild (n = 7) and from the examination of orphaned calves (i.e., tooth rake marks on their body; n = 4) that entered a rehabilitation facility, one individual both observed interacting with dolphins and found stranded with bite marks. Bottlenose dolphins were observed interacting with orphan manatee calves and with mother-calf pairs, exhibiting agonistic behavior (n = 2), affiliative or neutral behaviors (n = 1), but the behavioral contexts of these interactions remain unclear in most cases (n = 7). Information on stranded individuals was collected from four calves (of 13 examined calves) recovered in poor condition with bottlenose dolphin tooth rakes and bite wounds on their bodies, one of which died. Injury from bite wounds varied in extent and severity, ranging from superficial scratches leaving rake marks to deep lacerations. Our findings suggest the regular occurrence of agonistic behaviors initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins and directed toward manatee calves. However, the drivers of these interactions remain unknown and need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomy is not universally considered the basis of agency in all cultural and historical contexts, nor is it always seen as a prerequisite to "freedom" and "liberation," standing in conceptual opposite to coercion. In Caribbean Hindu contexts, the notion of service (sevā) as a form of (religious) work is aimed at decentering and dissolving the self for ultimate release from worldly suffering. Historically, regarding post-indenture Suriname and Guyana, some social actors understood godnas —the tattoos of especially senior Hindu women who identified as descendants of Indian indentured laborers—as a means of capacitating women and female bodies toward this goal by allowing them to conduct religious work. Some women with these tattoos considered godnas as voluntary and enabling. Their interpretations diverged from contemporary discourse, which links these tattoos to a presumed compulsory Hindu tradition that subjugated wives to husbands and in-laws. These varied assessments along a continuum of coercion and voluntariness highlight a continued focus on the conceptual binary that (un-)freedom obscures other relevant aspects of the (indentured) workers' experiences. It runs the risk of reproducing Eurocentric notions of freedom, coercion, and work/labor, shrouding the pertinence of spiritual capital and (religious) rewards in analyses of coercive practices and structural violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Born Idris Olarenwaju Okuneye in 1991, Bobrisky has arguably taken the politics of gender modification to a height worthy of a certain degree of scholarly attention. The self-acclaimed Mummy of Lagos, and the biggest girl in Nigeria has been a sensational cross-dresser and transgender activist for over a decade. This article focuses on Bobrisky and his subversive cross-dressing and body modification attempts. It explores his power, influence, wealth, connections, and many contradictions that his lifestyle epitomizes. Archival and secondary sources have yielded the data underpinning this paper. It specifically draws from the conceptual frame, "warrior cross-dresser," found in the recent article by Unoma Azuah on Bobrisky to argue that Bobrisky exemplifies the politics of gender modification in twenty-first century Nigeria. The authors argue that Bobrisky's lavish lifestyle seen online and offline serves as an inducement for future male cross-dressers in Nigeria and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oceanic island of Malpelo, 380 km west of the Colombian mainland, stands out from other islands of the Tropical Eastern Pacific by its harsh environment and depauperate flora and fauna, thus imposing strong selective pressure on the small number of invertebrates that inhabit it. The endemic taxon described here, Dyscolus (Cacothrix) malpelensis, n. subgen., n. sp. (Carabidae, Platynini), is a remarkable example of adaptation to this unique ecosystem. The modifications of its body shape, including a tight coaptation of elytra and pronotum, might be a response to strong environmental constraints, from predation by lizards and land crabs to the absence of deep soil that forces the beetle to seek shelter in caves and rock crevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestication transforms once wild animals into tamed animals that can be then exploited by humans. The process entails modifications in the body, cognition, and behavior that are essentially driven by differences in gene expression patterns. Although genetic and epigenetic mechanisms were shown to underlie such differences, less is known about the role exerted by trans-regulatory molecules, notably transcription factors (TFs) in domestication. In this paper, we conducted extensive in silico analyses aimed to clarify the TF landscape of mammal domestication. We first searched the literature, so as to establish a large list of genes selected with domestication in mammals. From this list, we selected genes experimentally demonstrated to exhibit TF functions. We also considered TFs displaying a statistically significant number of targets among the entire list of (domestication) selected genes. This workflow allowed us to identify 5 candidate TFs (SOX2, KLF4, MITF, NR3C1, NR3C2) that were further assessed in terms of biochemical and functional properties. We found that such TFs-of-interest related to mammal domestication are all significantly involved in the development of the brain and the craniofacial region, as well as the immune response and lipid metabolism. A ranking strategy, essentially based on a survey of protein-protein interactions datasets, allowed us to identify SOX2 as the main candidate TF involved in domestication-associated evolutionary changes. These findings should help to clarify the molecular mechanics of domestication and are of interest for future studies aimed to understand the behavioral and cognitive changes associated to domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications are usually dysregulated in cancers and regulate gene expression in a codon-specific manner, or modulate tRNA biogenesis that allows protumorigenic programs. The translational reprogramming mediated by tRNA modification can shape functional changes in the tumor cell, such as cell survival, differentiation, and migration. It has profound effects on immune-cell behavior and function that correlate with cancer immune surveillance. tRNA modifications serve as innovative biomarkers for noninvasion cancer diagnosis and prediction of treatment efficacy. They also represent valuable therapeutic targets in human cancers, which have advantages over traditional treatments of tumors in several respects, including overcoming drug resistance and showing few side effects. Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a central role in translation by functioning as a biological link between messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins. One prominent feature of the tRNA molecule is its heavily modified status, which greatly affects its biogenesis and function. Modifications within the anticodon loop are crucial for translation efficiency and accuracy, whereas other modifications in the body region affect tRNA structure and stability. Recent research has revealed that these diverse modifications are critical regulators of gene expression. They are involved in many important physiological and pathological processes, including cancers. In this review we focus on six different tRNA modifications to delineate their functions and mechanisms in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, providing insights into their clinical potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork, this article explores amateur rugby women's reflexive negotiation of the bruises they earn as a result of the physicality of the game. On one hand, participants take pride in body marks that confirm their athletic strength and rugby identity and which grants them respect and belonging. On the other hand, these body marks can be anchors of stigma, signalling women's rugby bodies as 'deviant' to non-initiated audiences. The article unpacks this tension between bruises as empowering or disempowering artefacts by demonstrating the situational and interactional nature of gendered dispositions and expectations. I show that the moral and symbolic order of entrenched gendered expectations is perpetuated in the flesh, but that it must be understood as being produced and reproduced in situ through intercorporeal processes. Through the analysis of bruises, I argue that to study bodies is to study (social) space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) used to repair an anorectal malformation (ARM) with a rectovestibular fistula involves incising the perineal body skin and the sphincter muscles and a posterior sagittal incision to the coccyx. Perineal body dehiscence is the most common and morbid complication post-PSARP which can have a negative impact on future bowel control. With consideration of all the other approaches described to repair this anomaly, we developed a perineal body sparing modification of the standard PSARP technique. Methods Four patients with ARM with a rectovestibular fistula were repaired with a perineal body sparing modified PSARP at a single institution between 2020 and 2021. The incision used was limited, involving only the length of the anal sphincter, with no incision anterior or posterior to the planned anoplasty. Dissection of the distal rectum and fistula was performed without cutting the perineal body. Once the distal rectum was mobilized off of the posterior vaginal wall and out of the vestibule, the perineal body muscles where the fistula had been were reinforced, and an anoplasty was then performed. Results Operative time was the same as for a standard PSARP. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No postoperative dilations were performed. All patients healed well with an excellent cosmetic result. All are too young to assess for bowel control. Conclusion We present a new technique, a modification of the traditional PSARP for rectovestibular fistula, which spares the perineal body. This approach could eliminate the potential complication of perineal body dehiscence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines three of the most iconic sites associated with Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, in Ottoman Hungary. These are three mausoleums located in Buda, Pécs, and Turbék, near Zigetvár. The first two are the final resting places of the Sufi mystics known as Gül Baba and Idris Baba. The third is Sultan Süleyman's mausoleum next to a Sufi dervish lodge, the foundations of which were uncovered during recent excavations. The research sheds light on the (embodied) material practices associated with these sites, as well as their sensory engagement and synaesthetic experiences. The bodies of the spiritual leaders, presented in the first two cases, serve as living sites of mystical experiences, both through self-destructive acts graphically represented on their bodies, and through bodily miracles such as hypercorporeality, multilocality, and dream visions. The third case concerns the body of a secular and a spiritual leader, the temporary burial of his disemboweled and embalmed body in the mausoleum at Turbék, and the tradition that his heart and entrails were kept in a reliquary-like vessel at the site, which interestingly paralleled contemporary Habsburg customs. Building on Thomas Csordas (1990) and Manuel Vásquez (2011), I explore the role of human and non-human "supernatural" actors interacting in these mystical networks, focusing on the role of their embodiment and materiality, their movement and their physically fragmented bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My artistic practice and research explore automatic processes used throughout time that develop conceptual and physical aptitude in the performer; to transcend the status quo and experience alternative versions of embodied reality. In homage to Elvis Presley and the spirit of Rock and Roll, I define automatism as a process formulated as Automatic Corporeal Gesture in a Flash (ACG) where I work to make art without fear from an inspirational sensation in my body. ACG is inspired, authentic action that I do in a creative act through some kind of plan or set of parameters to get a material result; it is automatic action through diffraction in an apparatus, to produce material with qualitative data that can be considered for its meaning after the performance. Like having a conversation with someone, this approach helps me to understand things as they are, learning about their qualities. In ACG I combine my vibration with the vibration of what inspires me. It is a relational act of co-agential meaning making. It is a performance process that uses perception and action intrepidly while in an apparatus to maintain corporeal balance, integrity and momentum during an event. Practising ACG changes qualities in material, which changes the way meaning is made from it. These changes are always particular to each event. Our senses are physical and extra-sensory. My imagination contains qualitative, empirical data. I am using my corporeal senses to perceive my imagination's inspiration, as I would also use my other senses and their correlating extra-sensory capabilities to perceive the material world around me. The meditative groove of my ACG is a trance dance. Trance is maintaining the entrainment of one's body to a frequency which focuses perceptive consciousness. How a piece is created carries discursive information. Qualities of the movement of the body and the marks it makes speaks about our corporeal condition as well as speaking of its perception of qualities through/of itself and its local and extra-local environments. I use ACG to learn about the qualities that experience has had in my body, and this knowledge increases my ability to be more responsible and accountable as a receiver and transmitter of discourse, which is the function of my relationality. ACG helps me to access my full body, and it allows me to coordinate and integrate all my other senses and their correlating extra aspects into my creative action. ACG is what keeps sparking the dynamic process in which I realize my creative potential, and where I can expand my abilities to perceive more of the qualities of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the use of the exotic ebony wood and the body carvings on African couple in Aphra Behn's novel "Oroonko: or, the Royal Slave." It discusses the function of the ebony as a metaphor for dark African skin, as well as the crossroads of Asian lacquer and tropical ebony. It also cites references to japanning, including its application on ebony furniture and the comparison with indigenous furnishings, particularly the Indian stools.

Many insects, including several orthopterans, undergo dramatic changes in body coloration during ontogeny. This variation is particularly intriguing in gomphocerine grasshoppers, where the green and brown morphs appear to be genetically determined (Schielzeth & Dieker, 2020, BMC Evolutionary Biology, 20, 63; Winter et al., 2021, Heredity, 127, 66). A better understanding of how these color morphs develop during ontogeny can provide valuable insights into the evolution and ecology of such a widespread color polymorphism. Here, we focus on the color development of two green–brown polymorphic species, the club‐legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus and the steppe grasshopper Chorthippus dorsatus. By following the color development of individuals from hatching to adulthood, we found that color morph differences begin to develop during the second nymphal stage, are clearly defined by the third nymphal stage, and remain stable throughout the life of an individual. Interestingly, we also observed that shed skins of late nymphal stages are identifiable by color morphs based on their yellowish coloration, rather than the green that marks green body parts. Furthermore, by assessing how these colors are perceived by different visual systems, we found that certain potential predators can chromatically discriminate between morphs, while others may not. These results suggest that the putative genes controlling color morph are active during the early stages of ontogeny, and that green color is likely composed of two components, one present in the cuticle and one not. In addition, the effectiveness of camouflage appears to vary depending on the specific predator involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, only a handful of species have successfully passed the mirror test, showing the mirror self-recognition ability. Birds that have been claimed to show this ability are all corvids. In this study, we conducted a series of mirror-related tests, including open mirror exposure, mirror-mediated foraging task and mark test, to investigate this ability in the African grey parrot. Subjects responded to the mirror on three levels. Three subjects consistently showed social behaviours towards the mirror, two of which repeatedly hit the mirror throughout the test, indicating a complete lack of mirror perception and self-recognition. Two subjects showed social behaviours or hit the mirror almost within the first 10 min of the mirror trial, indicating they initially recognized mirror images as conspecifics but changed this misconception over time. There was only one individual, who not only never hit the mirror and exhibited social behaviours towards the mirror, but also could use the mirror to locate hidden food and mark on the body that was invisible without a mirror. However, considering the lack of contingent behaviours and spontaneous mirror-guided self-directed behaviours, it is hard to assert the African grey parrot possesses mirror self-recognition. All in all, we found our subjects responded differently towards the mirror, showing varying levels of understanding of the mirror. Our findings support the gradualist perspective on mirror self-recognition. Different mark methods are also discussed, and we suggest attaching the mark on the mandible in future parrot research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]