The attributes of the images representing the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus affect people’s perception of the virus

Background The recent COVID-19 pandemic has seen an explosion of coronavirus-related information. In many cases, this information was supported by images representing the SARS-CoV-2. Aim To evaluate how attributes of images representing the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that were used in the initial phase of the coronavirus crisis in 2020 influenced the public’s perceptions. Methods We have carried out an in-depth survey using 46 coronavirus images, asking individuals how beautiful, scientific, realistic, infectious, scary and didactic they appeared to be. Results We collected 91,908 responses, obtaining 15,315 associations for each category. While the reference image of SARS-CoV-2 used in the media is a three-dimensional, colour, illustration, we found that illustrations of the coronavirus were perceived as beautiful but not very realistic, scientific or didactic. By contrast, black and white coronavirus images are thought to be the opposite. The beauty of coronavirus images was negatively correlated with the perception of scientific realism and didactic value. Conclusion Given these effects and the consequences on the individual’s perception, it is important to evaluate the influence that different images of SARS-CoV-2 may have on the population.

Aspidistra papillata G.Z.Li (Asparagaceae Juss.): A New Record for the Flora of Vietnam

This study presents the morphological characteristics, colour illustration, biological information, ecology and distribution of Aspidistra papillata G.Z. Li, formerly considered as an endemic species to China, but recently discovered and recorded for the Flora of Vietnam, to identify new aspects of this species.

West Coast ABCs by J. Asnong

Asnong, Jocey. West Coast ABCs. Rocky Mountain Books, 2018. Jocey Asnong returns with a new ABC book similar to her Rocky Mountain ABCs but this time highlights the beautiful west coast of Canada. Each page of this board book features one or two letters from the alphabet, a west coast place starting with one of those letters, a full colour illustration relating to that place, and a short phrase using words beginning with the alphabet letter(s) of the page. The target audience for this work would include toddlers, pre-K, and early primary students. Some of the words might be difficult for younger readers so this is a book best read with an adult though even the youngest readers will love the bright colours of the illustrations. Since most of the letters have more than one word, this book better represents some of the different sounds that each letter can make, for example the sounds in paddle versus porpoises which makes this book particularly attractive for anyone working on phonetics with a reader. I would especially recommend this for anyone on the west coast as having familiar places featured in the book would only increase the enjoyment already provided by the wonderful art showcased in this work. Recommended: 3 stars out of 4 Lorisia MacLeod Lorisia MacLeod is an Instruction Librarian at NorQuest College Library and a proud member of the James Smith Cree Nation. When not working on indigenization or diversity in librarianship, Lorisia enjoys reading almost any variation of Sherlock Holmes, comics, or travelling.

Contribution to the knowledge of the weevil subgenus Choilisanus Reitter, 1912, genus Otiorhynchus Germar, 1822 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

A new species Otiorhynchus ege Davidian & Gültekin sp. nov. is described from Aegean Region of Turkey. Closely related species Otiorhynchus balcanicus Stierlin, 1861, Otiorhynchus leuthneri Smreczyński, 1977 and Otiorhynchus latinasus Reitter 1898 from the subgenus Choilisanus Reitter, 1912 are redescribed, the lectotype of Otiorhynchus latinasus is designated, and a key to five species which are allied to Otiorhynchus balcanicus is given. Colour illustration, including habitus and photos of important morphological characters are presented.