Antagonistic Behavior Research Articles

Antagonistic Effect of Two Indigenous Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, Burkholderia contaminans PSB3 and Acinetobacter baumannii PSB11 Isolated from Different Crop Soils

Phosphorus is the most important key element in the nutrition of plants. Although P is abundant in soils, it is a major limiting factor for plant growth as it is in an unavailable form for roots uptake. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) has ability to convert insoluble form of P to an available form. This study was aimed at screening and characterizing phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from manure and different rhizosphere and to ascertain a potential benefit to use mixed cultures to improve P solubilization. A total of 12 PSB colonies were isolated on Pikovskaya’s agar medium containing tricalcium phosphate. Out of 12 bacterial isolates, 2 isolates showed high phosphate solubilization index (2.17 and 1.83, respectively) were selected for further study. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, PSB3 was closely related to Burkholderia contaminans (99%), and PSB11 was closely related to Acinetobacter baumannii (99%). The mean P dissolved in liquid cultures of PSB3 and PSB11 in a 14-day incubation were 96.7 and 39.3 mg l-1, respectively. Mixed inoculation of B. contaminans PSB3 and A. baumannii PSB11 could not increase the solubilization activity significantly, suggesting there is antagonistic behavior of one isolate towards another. As the interaction of these two isolates may be antagonistic, co-inoculation of these bacteria for P solubilization is not recommended. However, further study is needed to confirm these results.

Aesthetic dissonance. On behavior, values, and experience through new media

Aesthetics is thought of as not only a theory of art or beauty, but also includes sensibility, experience, judgement, and relationships. This paper is a study of Bernard Stiegler’s notion of Aesthetic War (stasis) and symbolic misery. Symbolic violence is ensued through a loss of individuation and participation in the creation of symbols. As a struggle between market values against spirit values human life and consciousness within neoliberal hyperindustrial society has become calculable, which prevents people from creating affective and meaningful attachments to symbols in relation to our retentional apparatuses, technology and memory. Such tension can be thought of as a dissonance between overlapping domains of social life, private and public. New Media is a reflection of aesthetic dissonance, an experience such as being bored and entertained at the same time, between antagonistic experiences, values, and behavior. Moreover, new media is at once a medium of customizing aesthetic experience individually as well as the threat and practice of prioritizing calculability and modeling of consumer behavior in favor of capitalistic effectiveness, which results in the simultaneous categorization of an individual as a data point, putting those who do not fit an algorithm’s premises at a disadvantage.

A multilayer circuit architecture for the generation of distinct locomotor behaviors in Drosophila.

Animals generate diverse motor behaviors, yet how the same motor neurons (MNs) generate two distinct or antagonistic behaviors remains an open question. Here, we characterize Drosophila larval muscle activity patterns and premotor/motor circuits to understand how they generate forward and backward locomotion. We show that all body wall MNs are activated during both behaviors, but a subset of MNs change recruitment timing for each behavior. We used TEM to reconstruct a full segment of all 60 MNs and 236 premotor neurons (PMNs), including differentially-recruited MNs. Analysis of this comprehensive connectome identified PMN-MN 'labeled line' connectivity; PMN-MN combinatorial connectivity; asymmetric neuronal morphology; and PMN-MN circuit motifs that could all contribute to generating distinct behaviors. We generated a recurrent network model that reproduced the observed behaviors, and used functional optogenetics to validate selected model predictions. This PMN-MN connectome will provide a foundation for analyzing the full suite of larval behaviors.

Discrete-time signed bounded confidence model for opinion dynamics

In this paper, the classic discrete-time bounded confidence (BC) model is modified by using the sign function such that signs of opinions never change during the opinion evolution. Considering the antagonistic and indifference behaviors between individuals, we propose two discrete-time signed BC models. Then, by comparing our proposed signed BC models with the classic BC model, we investigate dynamics characteristic of them in detail. We find that opinion evolution of our proposed signed BC models is more complicated than the classic BC model, but they retain clustering behavior of the classic BC model. Furthermore, several examples are given to test and verify the obtained results.

Structure-rheology relationship of basil seed gum-whey protein isolate mixture: Effect of thermal treatment and biopolymer ratio

In this paper, the changes in some physicochemical properties of basil seed gum: whey protein isolate (BSG: WPI) blends were investigated and their correlation with the rheological properties was assessed under different biopolymers ratio and temperatures. To simplify the discussion, total 36 generated rheological parameters were clustered in five groups. Subsequently, the effect of biopolymers ratio (1:0, 1:4 & 1:9 BSG: WPI) and thermal treatment (25 °C & 80 °C for 30 min) were discussed on one parameter from each category. Furthermore, the intensity of the amide I and amide II bands and the percentage area of the curve fitting at around 1632, 1649 and 1683 cm−1 were assessed at different conditions. Generally, heating improved the rheological properties of 1:4 BSG: WPI. Regarding the percentage of 1683 cm−1 band area of different samples, WPI in blends showed lower formation of intermolecular antiparallel β-sheets than in pure WPI dispersion. Also, a partial conversion of β-sheet into α-helix/unordered structure happened at low added BSG blend, i.e., 1:9 BSG: WPI dispersion, whereas, at higher BSG content, i.e., 1:4 BSG: WPI dispersion, β-sheet remained as the main structure of WPI. Unheated and heated 1:4 BSG: WPI showed a lower antagonistic behavior based on apparent viscosity (50 s−1) than 1:9 BSG: WPI. In addition, both blends showed lower antagonistic behavior after heating. Results proposed that different temperatures and biopolymer ratios of BSG: WPI can be utilized to create products that exhibit a variety of different rheological and physicochemical characteristics.

Systematic quantitative analyses reveal the folk-zoological knowledge embedded in folktales

Researchers have argued that folktales have the pedagogical function of transmitting adaptive information about the environment. Folk-zoological knowledge, such as the predator-prey relationship among wild animals or the relationships between wild and domesticated animals, is important knowledge for foraging and pastoral societies. Here, we analysed the descriptions of the 382 animal folktales listed in a worldwide tale type index (Aarne-Thompson-Uther type index) using natural language processing (NLP) and descriptive statistics. Our analyses suggested that first, the predator-prey relationship frequently appeared in a co-occurrent animal pair within a folktale (e.g., cat and mouse or wolf and pig), and second, the motif of ‘deception’, describing the antagonistic behaviour among animals, appeared relatively higher in ‘wild and domestic animals’ and ‘wild animals’ than in other types. Furthermore, the motif of ‘deception’ appeared more frequently in pairs, corresponding to the predator-prey relationship. These results corresponded with the hypothesis that the combination of animal characters and what happens in stories represent relationships in the real world. This study makes a new contribution by demonstrating that using a combination of quantitative methods and qualitative data to study folktales broadens our understanding of the evolutionary aspects of human cultures.

Verification of the security systems antagonistic agents behavior model

Verification of the security systems antagonistic agents behavior model

Diatoms embedded, self-assembled carriers for dual delivery of chemotherapeutics in cancer cell lines.

The concept of dual drug delivery to treat relapsing tumors is a well-studied approach to improve the antitumor efficacies and to reduce the side effects of single drug chemotherapeutic treatments. One of the major issues with dual drug delivery to treat drug resistant tumors is the concentration and ratio dependent antagonistic behavior of two drugs, which may reverse the anticancer efficacies of individual chemotherapeutics and stimulate the growth of tumor cells. In this paper, we address this issue by developing diatomaceous earth embedded core shell materials, which are capable of encapsulating two chemotherapeutic drugs at constant molar ratios, in different compartments of a single drug delivery carrier. The encapsulation of each drug in different compartments of delivery carrier (core of diatoms versus shell of cyclodextrin) then controls the release rate of both drugs in situ, and maintains the optimal molar ratios required for their synergistic outcomes in vitro.

Understanding the physics of hydrocolloids interaction using rheological, thermodynamic and functional properties: A case study on xanthan gum-cress seed gum blend

Some rheological, thermodynamic and functional properties of selected hydrocolloids (xanthan gum-cress seed gum (XG-CSG)) blends at different ratios (1-0, 3-1, 1-1, 1-3, 0-1) were characterized to understand physically the biopolymers interaction and networks. XG showed a greater rigidity (elastic modulus, G′LVE = 58.60 Pa), total structural strength (complex modulus, G*LVE = 70.69 Pa), yield stress (limiting value of stress, τL = 7.58 Pa), emulsion capacity (EC = 6.78%) and foam stability (FC = 18.92%) than CSG (G′LVE = 7.05 Pa, G*LVE = 8.53 Pa, τL = 1.44 Pa, EC = 86.48% and FC = 14.98%), respectively. Among blends, 3-1 XG-CSG showed the highest G*LVE, foaming stability (FS) and the extent of recovery (Rr%). The results were summarized using the clustering technique and principal component analyses. The coefficient of the interaction of some parameters, Cole-Cole plots and Gibbs free energy changes (ΔG) of predisturbed and intact networks were investigated. In samples with an intact network, greater compatibility directly related to the extent of synergistic interaction, while in predisturbed samples, the lower compatibility directly related to the extent of synergistic interaction. Although all blends were highly incompatible with antagonistic behavior, 1-1 XG-CSG showed the lowest incompatibility (ΔG = 8028.60 J/mol) among samples with intact structure, while at disrupted state, 1-3 XG-CSG showed the lowest incompatibility (ΔG = 158.6 J/mol).

Chemokine receptor trafficking coordinates neutrophil clustering and dispersal at wounds in zebrafish

Immune cells congregate at specific loci to fight infections during inflammatory responses, a process that must be transient and self-resolving. Cell dispersal promotes resolution, but it remains unclear how transition from clustering to dispersal is regulated. Here we show, using quantitative live imaging in zebrafish, that differential ligand-induced trafficking of chemokine receptors such as Cxcr1 and Cxcr2 orchestrates the state of neutrophil congregation at sites of tissue damage. Through receptor mutagenesis and biosensors, we show that Cxcr1 promotes clustering at wound sites, but is promptly desensitized and internalized, which prevents excess congregation. By contrast, Cxcr2 promotes bidirectional motility and is sustained at the plasma membrane. Persistent plasma membrane residence of Cxcr2 prolongs downstream signaling and is required for sustained exploratory motion conducive to dispersal. Thus, differential trafficking of two chemokine receptors allows coordination of antagonistic cell behaviors, promoting a self-resolving migratory response.

A Square Wave Voltammetry Study on the Antioxidant Interaction and Effect of Extraction Method for Binary Fruit Mixture Extracts

Square wave voltammetry (SWV) analysis was used to assess the antioxidant interactions (synergism, addition, and antagonism) of fruit mixture extracts from grape (G), lemon (L), and blueberry (B) obtained by conventional extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and high hydrostatic pressure extraction. The experimental results showed antagonistic antioxidant effects in all binary mixture extracts (L-G, L-B, and G-B). In DPPH and FRAP assays, the greatest antioxidant capacity was found in the G-B mixture (108.7 and 108.8 μmol TE g−1dry extract, respectively) obtained by high hydrostatic pressure extraction; however, there were no significant differences when measured by ultrasound-assisted extraction. For TPC and TFC assays, the greatest values were for G-B (6.67 mg GA g−1dry extract) and L-G (1.63 mg QE g−1dry extract), respectively. SWV experiments showed antagonistic behavior in the mixtures. Among the different ratios of the fruit mixture extracts evaluated by SWV, 1 : 1 (w/w) combination showed the greatest antagonistic antioxidant effects. SWV suggests the components of the mixture with the highest antioxidant capacity oxidize after mixing. The results indicate that the presence of natural bioactive antioxidants in fruit mixtures does not guarantee that the interactions are synergistic.

Toxicity of pharmaceuticals in binary mixtures: Assessment by additive and non-additive toxicity models

Current risk assessment in many countries, including European Union, is still placing focus on single substances rather than their mixtures, although mixtures are commonly found in the environment. To overcome this problem and gain new insights, six pharmaceuticals, namely: azithromycin (AZM), erythromycin (ERM), carbamazepine (CBA), oxytetracycline (OTC), dexamethasone (DXM), and diclofenac (DCF), were selected in order to analyze their combined toxicity in binary mixtures. Overall, 45 binary mixtures were analyzed. Single component toxicities were determined as well, for modelling purpose. Two most common mathematical models for the description of mixture toxicities were applied: concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) model. Comparison of the predicted and experimentally obtained toxicities provided information about the modes of toxicity action in the mixtures. OTC–DCF binary mixture indicated synergism with respect to additive behavior (CA model). All other binary combinations containing OTC or DCF were acting very similarly: the synergism with respect to additive behavior was observed for OTC–CBA and DCF-CBA combinations, while OTC–AZM, OTC–ERM, DCF–AZM and DCF–ERM exhibited antagonistic behavior with respect to CA model. All the remaining binary mixtures indicated additive behavior. The applicability of IA model as a proof of independent toxic action of the components was confirmed in cases of DCF–AZM, DCF–ERM, and OTC–AZM mixtures.

Trifluorinated Pyrimidine-Based A2B Antagonists: Optimization and Evidence of Stereospecific Recognition.

We report the identification of two subsets of fluorinated nonxanthine A2B adenosine receptor antagonists. The novel derivatives explore the effect of fluorination at different positions of two pyrimidine-based scaffolds. The most interesting ligands combine excellent hA2B affinity (Ki < 15 nM) and remarkable subtype selectivity. The results of functional cAMP experiments confirmed the antagonistic behavior of representative ligands. The compounds were designed on the basis of previous molecular models of the stereoselective binding of the parent scaffolds to the hA2B receptor, and we herein provide refinement of such models with the fluorinated compounds, which allows the explanation of the spurious effects of the fluorination at the different positions explored. These models are importantly confirmed by a synergistic study combining chiral HPLC, circular dichroism, diastereoselective synthesis, molecular modeling, and X-ray crystallography, providing experimental evidence toward the stereospecific interaction between optimized trifluorinated stereoisomers and the hA2B receptor.

Earliest known spatial competition between stromatoporoids: evidence from the Upper Ordovician Xiazhen Formation of South China

AbstractThe earliest known interpreted spatial competition between two species of stromatoporoids, Clathrodictyon cf. C. mammillatum (Schmidt, 1858) and Labechia sp. is found in the Upper Ordovician Xiazhen Formation at Zhuzhai, South China. The interaction between these taxa was initiated by settlement of Labechia sp. on the surface of Clathrodictyon cf. C. mammillatum. Distortions of the intraskeletal elements of stromatoporoids represented by abnormally large, wide cysts and thick cyst plates in Labechia sp. are observed, along with zigzag crumpled distorted laminae and antagonistic behavior of the skeleton in Clathrodictyon cf. C. mammillatum, indicating syn-vivo interactions. The growth of Labechia sp. was terminated by the overgrowth of Clathrodictyon cf. C. mammillatum, possibly reflecting the ecological superiority of Clathrodictyon cf. C. mammillatum over Labechia sp. The observations are interpreted as competitive interaction between stromatoporoids that was most likely facultative, thus most likely occurring by chance, but the interaction allows assessment of different growth behaviors of the stromatoporoid species. Analysis of the interaction provides evidence to improve understanding of the paleoecology and growth behaviors of early stromatoporoids.

Development of the model of the antagonistic agents behavior under a cyber conflict

The results of the development of the model of the antagonistic agents behavior in a cyber conflict are presented. It is shown that the resulting model can be used to analyze investment processes in security systems, taking into account the assumption that investment processes are significantly influenced by the behavior of parties involved in a cyber conflict.General approaches to model development are presented. First of all, the system of concepts, assumptions and limitations is formed, within the framework of which a mathematical model of behavior must be developed. Taking this into account, the mathematical model of the conflicting agents behavior, presented in the form of algebraic and differential equations, is developed. The developed model presents both the technical characteristics of the security system and the psychological characteristics of the participants in the cyber conflict, which affect the financial characteristics of the investment processes in cybersecurity systems. A distinctive feature of the proposed model is the simultaneous consideration of the behavior of the parties to a cyber conflict not as independent parties, but as agents mutually interacting with each other. The model also makes it possible to simulate the destabilizing effect of the confrontation environment disturbances on the behavior of the conflicting parties, changing the degree of vulnerability of the cybersecurity system along various attack vectors and the level of their success.Using the developed model, simulation modeling of the interacting agents behavior in a cyber conflict is performed. The simulation results showed that even the simplest behavior strategies of the attacking side (“the weakest link”) and the defense side (“wait and see”) make it possible to ensure information security of the business process loop.The developed model of interaction between the attacker and the defender can be considered as a tool for modeling the processes of the conflicting parties behavior when implementing various investment scenarios. The simulation results enable decision-makers to receive support regarding the direction of investment in the security of the business process loop.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Dimensions: Associations with Traits of the Multidimensional Personality Model among Adults.

The occurrence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) behaviours among adults has been supported by a proportion of scholars. The current work examines potential ODD dimensions and their associations with the primary personality traits of Tellegen's [57] multi-dimensional conceptualization during adulthood. Two independent, general community, adult groups [Group 1: N = 214; mean age (SD) = 35.74 (16.60); Group 2: N = 205; mean age (SD) = 29.00 (12.42)] completed the Current Symptom Scale involving the eight ODD criteria. Group 2 additionally addressed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire -Brief Form (MPQ-BF). A series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were implemented. The three-dimensional ODD conceptualization of Burke and colleagues [14] referring to "Negative Affect", "Oppositional Behavior", and "Antagonistic Behavior" was confirmed. Considering personality traits, valuable associations were revealed between Oppositional Behavior and Aggression, Antagonistic Behavior and Social Potency as well as Harm Avoidance, and finally, Negative Affect and Stress Reaction, as well as Aggression. The dimensionality of ODD behaviours in adulthood and its correspondence with particular personality traits is approached in the context of psychological practice.

Boron nutrition for improving the quality of diverse canola cultivars

Canola (Brassica napus L.), is the most important oilseed crop due to high oil contents and low concentration of erucic acid and glucosinolates. In Pakistan, oil seed production is not sufficient to fulfill the needs of the country. Thus, the planned experiment was aimed to evaluate the performance of different canola cultivars i.e. Faisal Canola, Pakola, PARC Canola hybrid and Rainbow at grown under various soil applied boron (B) levels viz., 0, 1, 2 kg ha−1 under a rainfed environment. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Among the canola cultivars, the maximum seed oil contents were recorded in cultivar ‘Pakola’ whereas, higher linolenic acid and protein were recorded in cultivar ‘Faisal canola’ as compared to other cultivars. A synergistic effect was found between various levels of B and quality parameters of the canola seed; as higher concentration of oil contents were found when B was applied 2 kg ha−1. Conversely the linolenic acid showed the antagonistic behavior with the various B levels. On the other hand, protein contents, oleic acid and erucic acid revealed non-significant differences under different B application rates. In conclusion, the cultivar ‘Pakola’ provided the highest oil content when the B was applied at 2 kg ha−1; the low concentration of unsaturated fatty acid was observed in ‘PARC canola’ cultivar in the Pothwar region of Punjab, Pakistan.

Preliminary report of specific behaviours of juvenile greater blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena lunulata (Quoy and Gaimard, 1832)

ABSTRACTThe greater blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) is one of three venomous octopuses well-known for the iridescent blue rings on the skin and dangerous toxin. However, the understanding of this octopus at the juvenile phase is limited compared to the adult phase. The other two venomous octopuses (Hapalochlaena fasciata and Hapalochlaena maculosa) have also not been thoroughly examined at the juvenile stage. We collected a juvenile greater blue-ringed octopus from the coastal waters of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, and maintained it in captivity for observation. Five days after beginning rearing, iridescent blue rings, similar to those in the adult, appeared on the entire skin of the octopus and continued to be expressed with varying intensity. When the octopus was behaving aggressively it flashed the blue rings. Episodic antagonistic behaviour against the experimenters was also observed.

Commensal Neisseria Kill Neisseria gonorrhoeae through a DNA-Dependent Mechanism

The mucosa is colonized with commensal Neisseria. Some of these niches are sites of infection for the STD pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo). Given the antagonistic behavior of commensal bacteria toward their pathogenic relatives, we hypothesized that commensal Neisseria may negatively affect Ngo colonization. Here, we report that commensal species of Neisseria kill Ngo through a mechanism based on genetic competence and DNA methylation state. Specifically, commensal-triggered killing occurs when the pathogen takes up commensal DNA containing a methylation pattern that it does not recognize. Indeed, any DNA will kill Ngo if it can enter the cell, is differentially methylated, and has homology to the pathogen genome. Consistent with these findings, commensal Neisseria elongata accelerates Ngo clearance from the mouse in a DNA-uptake-dependent manner. Collectively, we propose that commensal Neisseria antagonizes Ngo infection through a DNA-mediated mechanism and that DNA is a potential microbicide against this highly drug-resistant pathogen.

Extracting Inter-Community Conflicts in Reddit

Anti-social behaviors in social media can happen both at user and community levels. While a great deal of attention is on the individual as an ‘aggressor,’ the banning of entire Reddit subcommunities (i.e., subreddits) demonstrates that this is a multi-layer concern. Existing research on inter-community conflict has largely focused on specific subcommunities or ideological opponents. However, antagonistic behaviors may be more pervasive and integrate into the broader network. In this work, we study the landscape of conflicts among subreddits by deriving higher-level (community) behaviors from the way individuals are sanctioned and rewarded. By constructing a conflict network, we characterize different patterns in subreddit-to-subreddit conflicts as well as communities of ‘co-targeted’ subreddits .The dynamics of these interactions also reveals a shift in conflict focus over time.