Aggressive Responses Research Articles

ARX/NARX modeling and PID controller in a UV/H2O2 tubular photoreactor for aqueous PVA degradation

Water-soluble polymers are widely employed as additives in many different industries. The need to treat sewage contaminated with water-soluble polymers is essential to prevent persistent pollutants from entering our environment. The advanced oxidation process (AOP), UV/H2O2 process, is used in this study to degrade polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in aqueous solutions. However, a suitable modeling approach and a control scheme are required to remove the PVA polymer and reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) residual in the treated effluent within a safe level to prevent adverse effects on the aquatic system as well as subsequent biological processes. This study presents black-box modeling for identifying the dynamics of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) degradation in a series of UV/H2O2 photo-reactors, where the process input and response variables are inlet hydrogen peroxide concentrations and effluent pH, respectively. Data processing, model development, and process simulation are performed using MATLAB R2019b software. In this study, the linear AutoRegressive with eXogenous input (ARX), non-linear ARX (NARX), and Hammerstein-Wiener models are considered as base system models, where the sigmoid-network-based NARX produced the best representation with 82.24% of the trainset and 76.28% of the validation-set of the process dynamics. The design of PID controllers tuned using ARX and sigmoid-network-based NARX models are discussed, and the controller performance is analyzed for set-point tracking and disturbance rejection through simulation studies. The closed-loop response of ARX-PID and NARX-PID are deemed adequate. In fact, the NARX-PID performs much better for the studied process achieving an integrated absolute error (IAE) of 0.6211 with a settling time of 4.63 h, whereas the ARX-PID has lower IAE (0.4238) and produces a more aggressive controlled output response robust in disturbance rejection. Thus, ARX-PID is adequate for frequent process disturbances but less suitable for process set-point tracking.

Violence and schizophrenia: the role of social determinants of health and the need for early intervention.

Violence and schizophrenia: the role of social determinants of health and the need for early intervention.

Human self‐domestication and the evolution of prosody

AbstractHuman self‐domestication refers to a new evolutionary hypothesis about human origins. According to this view, humans have experienced changes that are similar to those observed in domesticated mammals and that have provided us with many of the behavioural, and perhaps cognitive pre‐requisites for supporting our complex social practices and advanced culture. At the core of this hypothesis is the claim that self‐domestication is triggered by (and entails) a reduction in reactive aggression responses. The human self‐domestication hypothesis has been recently used to explain how grammars became more sophisticated via a cultural mechanism. Nonetheless, less research has been done in the domain of phonology, even though animal evidence suggests that domestication favours call complexity too. In this paper, we hypothesise about the effects of our increased self‐domestication on human prosody. We argue for a progressive complexification of prosody that parallels (and might be involved in a positive feed‐back loop with) the complexification of grammar in response to a reduction in reactive aggression. We build on evidence of diverse nature, from language typology to brain function to language acquisition studies.

Yield or not to yield? An inquiry into drivers’ behaviour when a fully automated vehicle indicates a lane-changing intention

Automated vehicles have started to be integrated into the road transportation system and operate in a mixed traffic environment. To ensure a smooth and successful integration, it is vital to have a good understanding of the human factor challenges involved in the process, especially the issues related to other road users who will share roads with automated vehicles. The study focuses on conventional vehicle drivers’ acceptance of and interaction with fully automated vehicles (FAV). An online survey with experimental scenarios showing an FAV’s lane-changing intention was designed to test the interaction responses of participants. The survey also collected the participants’ demographic information (e.g., age, gender, driving experience), self-reported general driving behaviours (e.g., errors, lapses and violations), past benchmark behaviour in the same situation and their acceptance of FAVs. The study recruited 838 participants in total, comprising 465 participants from Australia (216 males vs. 249 females) and 373 participants from China (172 males vs. 201 females). Ordered probit models were developed to predict three types of behavioural responses of drivers in the lane-changing scenario, i.e., positive, disregardful and aggressive responses. The results showed that older drivers, females, and drivers who had less driving experience were more likely to adopt positive interactions with FAVs than their counterparts. Drivers who reported frequent risky driving behaviours (e.g., aggressions, lapses and errors) were less likely to report positive interaction but more likely to report disregardful and aggressive interactions. Drivers reporting more positive/favourable attitudes and a higher trust toward FAVs demonstrated a higher possibility of positive interaction, and those with higher perceived behaviour control were more likely to restrain disregardful interaction. The study helps to form a greater understanding of conventional vehicle drivers’ perception of FAVs and the underlying factors that may influence their interaction behavioural tendency.

Impact of Lymphatic Pump Treatment and Methotrexate on Inflammation, Cytokine Production, and Leukocyte Infiltration in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract Rheumatoid Arthritis in autoimmune disease afflicting synovial joints leading to chronic joint damage. While the specific mechanisms have not been fully identified, the immune system and inflammatory factors are actively involved. T cells release cytokines and chemokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6, CINC-1 and CINC-2, and B cells produce self-reactive antibodies including rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. All these factors result in a pronounced and aggressive inflammatory response within the joints. Lymphatic pump treatment (LPT) promotes lymphatic flow within the body, causing a flushing out of the immune-complexes and pro-inflammatory cells. Using a rat AIA model, the goal was to determine if LPT in conjunction with methotrexate had a greater impact on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than methotrexate alone. A 21-day AIA rat study was performed using LPT and methotrexate treatments on days 14–21. Ankle circumference and articular index scores were recorded daily as a measurement of inflammation. ELISAs of arthritic ankles homogenates and serum were used to analyze cytokine, chemokine, and autoantibody concentrations. Immune cell infiltration into the ankles was determined using immunohistochemistry. We found that LPT with methotrexate treatment did not significantly alter ankle circumference, articular index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine, chemokine, or antibody concentrations compared to methotrexate alone. Overall, methotrexate combined with LPT treatments on days 14–21 did not significantly alter disease progression, however, it is possible that earlier LPT treatment may have a more significant impact on disease progression. College of Graduate Studies Biomedical Sciences program at Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL.

Darwin’s finches in human-altered environments sing common song types and are more aggressive

Human-altered landscapes may act as an environmental filter benefiting species or individuals with specific sets of capacities or behaviors. Yet the effects of human activity on culturally transmitted traits in animals are still poorly understood. Combining song recordings and simulated territory intrusions, we investigated whether songs (a cultural trait) and aggressiveness (a personality trait) in small ground finches (Geospiza fuliginosa) differed along a gradient of human activity levels (high-low-high) spanning two habitats with contrasting levels of rainfall (arid lowlands, humid highlands). We found that more common syllable types were more prevalent in arid lowland sites and at sites with high human activity. The number of syllables per song, song duration, song tempo and song rhythmicity did not differ across habitats or levels of human activity. During simulated territorial intrusions, small ground finches living in areas with higher levels of human activity and in the arid lowlands (regardless of human activity) showed the strongest aggressive response compared to those living in areas with lower levels of human activity or in the humid highlands. Thus, prevalence of aggression and syllable commonness correlated with each other across sites. Our results support the idea that resource distribution and human-impacted environments may select jointly for specific behavioral phenotypes such as aggression as well as common cultural traits.

The (Co)Evolution of Language and Music Under Human Self-Domestication

Together with language, music is perhaps the most distinctive behavioral trait of the human species. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain why only humans perform music and how this ability might have evolved in our species. In this paper, we advance a new model of music evolution that builds on the self-domestication view of human evolution, according to which the human phenotype is, at least in part, the outcome of a process similar to domestication in other mammals, triggered by the reduction in reactive aggression responses to environmental changes. We specifically argue that self-domestication can account for some of the cognitive changes, and particularly for the behaviors conducive to the complexification of music through a cultural mechanism. We hypothesize four stages in the evolution of music under self-domestication forces: (1) collective protomusic; (2) private, timbre-oriented music; (3) small-group, pitch-oriented music; and (4) collective, tonally organized music. This line of development encompasses the worldwide diversity of music types and genres and parallels what has been hypothesized for languages. Overall, music diversity might have emerged in a gradual fashion under the effects of the enhanced cultural niche construction as shaped by the progressive decrease in reactive (i.e., impulsive, triggered by fear or anger) aggression and the increase in proactive (i.e., premeditated, goal-directed) aggression.

Discovery of novel papain-like protease inhibitors for potential treatment of COVID-19

The recent emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants creates an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic agents to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. Among SARS-CoV-2 essential proteases is papain-like protease (SARS-CoV-2 PLpro), which plays multiple roles in regulating SARS-CoV-2 viral spread and innate immunity such as deubiquitinating and deISG15ylating (interferon-induced gene 15) activities. Many studies are currently focused on targeting this protease to tackle SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this context, we performed a phenotypic screening using an in-house pilot compounds collection possessing a diverse skeleta against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro. This screen identified SIMR3030 as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. SIMR3030 has been shown to exhibit deubiquitinating activity and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 specific gene expression (ORF1b and Spike) in infected host cells and possessing virucidal activity. Moreover, SIMR3030 was demonstrated to inhibit the expression of inflammatory markers, including IFN-α, IL-6, and OAS1, which are reported to mediate the development of cytokine storms and aggressive immune responses. In vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assessment of the drug-likeness properties of SIMR3030 demonstrated good microsomal stability in liver microsomes. Furthermore, SIMR3030 demonstrated very low potency as an inhibitor of CYP450, CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 which rules out any potential drug-drug interactions. In addition, SIMR3030 showed moderate permeability in Caco2-cells. Critically, SIMR3030 has maintained a high in vivo safety profile at different concentrations. Molecular modeling studies of SIMR3030 in the active sites of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV PLpro were performed to shed light on the binding modes of this inhibitor. This study demonstrates that SIMR3030 is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro that forms the foundation for developing new drugs to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutics for a possible future outbreak of new SARS-CoV-2 variants or other Coronavirus species.

Life experiences of boars can shape the survival, aggression, and nociception responses of their offspring

IntroductionBoars are often housed in stressful environments on commercial farms, experiencing poor welfare. These conditions may cause epigenetic changes in the boars' gametes, which could potentially be transmitted to their offspring. We aimed to investigate the effect of three different boars housing environments on the survival, aggression, and nociceptive responses of their offspring.MethodsFor four weeks, 18 boars were housed in three different systems: crates (C;n=6), pens (P;n=6), and enriched pens (E;n=6). The environmental enrichment was provided twice daily (brushing, shower, and hay). Thirteen gilts were housed in outdoor paddocks and inseminated with pooled semen from the boars kept in the three treatments. We evaluated the number of live-born, stillborn, and weaned piglets, sex, and mortality rate. Weaning was performed at 29 days of age. For each piglet, six body photographs were taken for five days postweaning to measure skin lesions (n=138). On Day 34, the nociceptive pressure threshold was assessed using an analgesimeter (n=138). DNA paternity tests were carried out at the end of the study (n=181). A generalized linear model with a negative binomial distribution was used to compare the number of live-born/weaned piglets and skin lesions among the treatment groups. We used a Kruskal‒Wallis test to analyze nociceptive data.ResultsMore live-born and weaned piglets were fathered from boars kept in the E group than the P group (p=0.002;p=0.001, respectively). A trend was observed in the number of skin lesions on the left side of piglets (P<C;p=0.053). For nociceptive assessments, offspring from P boars showed less right leg withdrawal than piglets from E and C boars (p=0.008); the P group had a higher average nociceptive value than the C group (p=0.002). All treatments differed in the region adjacent to the tail for nociceptive pressure threshold (P>E>C;p<0.001).Discussion and conclusionOur results suggest that providing an enriched environment for boars can increase the number of live-born and weaned piglets. Moreover, the boars housing conditions can influence nociceptive threshold in their offspring. Further research must be performed to understand the underlying mechanism associated with these changes using epigenetics protocols and measuring physiological indicators and other molecular markers in semen and/or sperm cell samples.

The FOMC’s new individual economic projections and macroeconomic theories

This paper examines whether the economic projections made by individual policymakers of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) are consistent with macroeconomic facts and theories. By analyzing the projections between 2007 and 2017, this paper finds that they are consistent with Okun’s law, revealing a significantly negative relationship between unemployment and output growth projections. The relationship between inflation and unemployment projections associated with the Phillips curve is much weaker and more dispersed. The FOMC’s reaction function is estimated to be consistent with a conventional Taylor rule, with a sufficiently aggressive response to the inflation gap satisfying the Taylor principle and a negative response to the unemployment gap.

A pair of cadmium-exposed zebrafish affect social behavior of the un-exposed majority

To account for global contamination events, we must identify direct and indirect pollutant effects. Although pollutants can have direct effects on individuals, it is unknown how a few contaminated individuals affect groups, a widespread social organization. We show environmentally relevant levels of cadmium (Cd) can have indirect social effects revealed in the social context of a larger group. Cd-contaminated individuals had poor vision and more aggressive responses, but no other behavioral effects. The presence of experienced Cd-exposed pairs in the groups had an indirect effect on the un-exposed individual’s social interactions leading to the shoal becoming bolder and moving closer to a novel object than control groups. Because a few directly affected individuals could indirectly affect social behavior of the un-exposed majority, we believe that such acute but potentially important heavy metal toxicity could inform reliable predictions about the consequences of their use in a changing world.

Abstract 5467: Single-cell analysis of CD34-enriched blood cells reveals early prognostic markers of myelodysplastic syndromes

Abstract Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood malignancies characterized by aberrant differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in the bone marrow that results in inefficient hematopoiesis and high risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. In order to detect aberrant HSC differentiation in blood samples sensitively and accurately, we explored the use of scRNA-seq of CD34-enriched cells from peripheral blood in identifying differentiation trajectories that are abnormal in patient samples versus expected normal development. A total of 685,000 CD34-enriched PBMCs from 93 samples were analyzed using 10X 3’ v3 scRNA-seq library preparation. For increased efficiency, the samples were multiplexed in groups of 5 individuals and were later identified based on individual natural genetic variation using a custom genotyping assay or low-pass WGS. We then sequenced these 24 libraries on a UG100 sequencer to yield an average of 20,000 reads per cell. Six of these libraries were also sequenced on a NovaSeq. Comparison between scRNA profiles generated on the two different sequencers yielded highly similar results, including a similar ability to demultiplex the patient samples using genetic markers, accurately quantify gene modules and determine cell populations.To analyze the scRNA data, we used a novel computational framework, Metacell, to reconstruct metacell modules for both healthy and disease samples allowing us to find variability in the differentiation process between the disease samples and the normal baseline state. Two patients with MDS which had transformed to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) demonstrated unique and distinct metacell clusters that were significantly separate from normal HSPC differentiation patterns, demonstrating distinct clusters with elevated levels of BCL2 which is an existing therapy target in secondary AML. Our results demonstrate that scRNA-seq analysis of peripheral blood HSPCs samples can be used to detect aberrations in HSC development in MDS patients and serve as a prognostic tool for stratification of patients with aggressive disease and drug response. Given the cost-efficiency of the entire process, we believe this is one of the first examples of the potential practical utility of single-cell analysis in a clinical setting. Citation Format: Eti Meiri, Nili Saar-Furer, Nimrod Rappoport, Sarah Pollock, Gila Lithwick-Yanai, Zohar Shipony, Nika Iremadze, Doron Lipson, Amos Tanay, Liran Shlush. Single-cell analysis of CD34-enriched blood cells reveals early prognostic markers of myelodysplastic syndromes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5467.

Guilt by Association: Inflammation and Shared Genetic Risk Between Stress-Related and Immune Disorders

Guilt by Association: Inflammation and Shared Genetic Risk Between Stress-Related and Immune Disorders

Recognition and Defensive Behavior of Nannotrigona testaceicornis Workers (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Intra and Inter-colonial Bioassays

Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Lepeletier, 1836) is a stingless bee with wide distribution in the Brazilian territory. Despite its importance in meliponiculture and pollination, there are still few behavioral studies related to the species. The aim of this work was to characterize the recognition and defense behaviors in intraspecific bioassays carried out in N. testaceicornis colonies. Intra and inter-colonial bioassays were carried out with six colonies from different locations. The number of occurrences of each behavioral act, latency measures, and duration of confrontations were quantified. An ethogram with eight behavioral acts and two categories was elaborated. The acceptance rate was significantly higher in intra-colonial confrontations and the rejection rate was higher in inter-colonial confrontations. The rejection process was significantly higher than the acceptance process, which may be related to the specific behavioral repertoire of each process. Results indicate that the presence of an intraspecific intruder triggers an aggressive response from guards positioned in the colony access tube.

Females adopt sexual catalepsy to facilitate mating.

Theory predicts that males and females of dioecious species typically engage in an evolutionary sexual conflict over the frequency and choice of mating partner. Female sexual cannibalism, a particularly dramatic illustration of this conflict, is widespread in certain animal taxa including spiders. Nevertheless, females of some funnel weaving spiders that are generally aggressive to conspecifics enter a cataleptic state after male courtship, ensuring the males can mate without risk of attack. In this study, we demonstrated that the physical posture and duration, metabolites, and central neurotransmitters of females of Aterigena aculeata in sexual catalepsy closely resemble females in thanatosis but are distinct from those in anesthesia, indicating that the courted females feign death to eliminate the risk of potentially aggressive responses and thereby allow preferred males to mate. Unlike the taxonomically widespread thanatosis, which generally represents a deceptive visual signal that acts against the interest of the receivers, sexual catalepsy of females in the funnel weaving spiders may deliver a sexual-receptive signal to the courting males and thereby benefit both the signal senders and receivers. Therefore, sexual catalepsy in A. aculeata may not reflect a conflict but rather a confluence of interest between the sexes.

The Energy Transition, Protectionism and Transatlantic Relations

US President Joe Biden has worked to repair the damage done to the transatlantic relationship by his predecessor, quickly realigning the United States with Europe on issues of energy and climate change. However, the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 introduced a raft of protectionist subsidies for US clean-energy industries and reignited tensions between the US and the European Union. The EU has warned that the IRA could damage the bloc’s industry and American critics suggest the act may trigger a new US–EU trade war. The Biden administration’s geopolitical internationalism is at odds with its geo-economic nationalism. The fact remains, however, that Europe is unlikely to be severely affected by the IRA. Moreover, European political leaders have threatened more aggressive responses to the IRA than they can deliver. A trade war is unlikely. It is more likely that booming green industries in the EU and US will open new avenues to cooperation between them.

Cognitive impairment and behavioural emergencies within the acute hospital setting

BackgroundPatients with cognitive impairment exhibiting agitation and aggression are challenging to manage in the acute hospital setting. When a patient’s behaviours place themselves or others at risk of harm, a...

Greek Standardization of the Situational Triggers of Aggressive Responses (STARGR)

Abstract: Aggressive traits and situational factors interact to influence the propensity for aggressive behavior. Individuals’ sensitivity to the situational factors' provocation and frustration are assessed by the Situational Triggers of Aggressive Responses (STAR) scale subscales sensitivity to provocation (SP) and sensitivity to frustration (SF). The aims of this paper were to (1) briefly summarize the basic theory supporting the STAR scale, (2) review previous cross-cultural findings for these STAR constructs, (3) discuss the Greek factorial structure and its cross-cultural validity, (4) describe the methodological-statistical and psychometric properties for a Greek normative sample ( N = 1,094), and (5) provide Greek norms and other application aspects regarding the STAR scale. The aforementioned are discussed in the context of both a broader methodological-statistical scope and an applied scope. Finally, and with respect to psychological intervention, a method that can be applied to any sample, independently of the existence of norms, is discussed, for multivariately identifying extreme SP and SF cases (outliers).

Forgive and forget? Honor-oriented individuals are less forgiving of transgressing peers

Individual differences research on masculine honor has heavily focused on men's aggressive responses to insults by male strangers, but much less is known whether honor-oriented individuals (men and women) are less forgiving – express more avoidant and vengeful, but less benevolent motivations – towards peers following insults, and their underlying concerns in being less forgiving. Using 200 British participants (dignity group) in Study 1, and 146 British (dignity group) and 178 Turkish (honor group) participants in Study 2, we examined whether (1) masculine honor-oriented individuals are less forgiving of peers after insults, and (2) this association is indirectly explained by concern with avoiding loss of social respect or maintaining personal integrity. Results showed that masculine honor-oriented individuals were less forgiving of insulting peers, which was indirectly explained by concern with losing respect, but not keeping personal integrity. We also report that the presence of a third-party audience did not have an effect on the observed pattern of relationships. These findings expand our understanding of why, despite the many benefits of forgiveness, some individuals may be less willing to forgive people who have hurt them.

Aroma of the essential oil of peppermint reduces aggressive driving behaviour in healthy adults.

Aggressive driving is of increasing concern in modern society. This study investigated the potential for the presence of an ambient aroma to reduce aggressive responses in a simulated driving situation. Previous literature has demonstrated the beneficial effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita) aroma on driver alertness and we aimed to identify any impact on aggressive driver behaviour. Fifty volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (peppermint essential oil aroma and no aroma). Aggressive driving behaviours were measured in a virtual reality driving simulator. The analysis indicated that the peppermint aroma significantly reduced aggressive driving behaviours. The presence of the aroma also produced medium sized effects on some aspects of mood from pre-test levels. These results provide support for the use of ambient aromas for the modification of driving behaviours. It is proposed that applying peppermint into daily driving may be a beneficial for reducing driver aggression.